Italy chess tourney: Antonio bounces back into contention
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 24 Nov 2022
MANILA---Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr bounced back in contention after a setback in the sixth and seventh round by defeating International Master Markus Loeffler of Germany in the 30th FIDE World Senior Individual Chess Championship (50+ and 65+ Open-men and women) held at the Hotel Cenacolo in Assisi, Umbria, Italy on Wednesday, Nov. 23.
The 60-year-old Antonio prevailed after 22 moves Sicilian Defense, Rossolimo Attack variation using the advantageous white pieces in the eight round.
Antonio, who beat Grandmaster Eric Prie of France in the fifth round before losing to Grandmaster Darcy Lima of Brazil in the sixth round and top seed Grandmaster Zurab Sturua of Georgia in the seventh round, came back strong to chalk up his fifth win on account of 5 points, 1 draw and 2 loses in eight matches and share tenth to 23rd places in the 50+ category.
The thirteen-seeded Filipino champion swept his first three assignments over Igor Tsyn of Israel, Fide Master Milan Kolesar of Slovakia and International Master Hussein Ali Hussein Al-Ali of Iraq before halving the point with Grandmaster Ivan Morovic Fernandez of Chile in the fourth round.
Antonio, whose trip is being bankrolled by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. , Sen. Bong Go, Col. Jaime Osit Santos and Bayanihan Chess Club Co-Founding Chairman Dr. Joe Balinas, will slug it out countryman International Master Angelo Abundo Young in the ninth round Thursday night.
The 59-year-old Young, an an eight-time Illinois USA champion, subdued Fide Master Nicola Paglietti of Italy.
Meanwhile, GM Fernandez racked up his third straight wins this time to GM Lima after 48 moves of Sicilian Dragon, Maróczy Bind variation to grab the solo lead with 7.0 points, half a point ahead with GM Sturua and IM Fabrizio Bellia of Italy who totes 6.5 points apiece.
International Master elect and Fide Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad dismantled Julio Santos of Portugal to meet FM Malkiel Peretz of Israel in the next round.
The 66-year-old Bagamasbad raised his total 5.0 points in the 65 years old and above category.
GM Jens Kristiansen of Denmark upset top pick GM Dr. John Nunn of England to climb at the top spot with 7.0 points in eight outings.
Kristiansen only loss at the hands of Bagamasbad in the second round.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
BiYu Promotions Launches "Fights Under the Lights" with Star-Studded Card Featuring the Return of the Grandy Twins
Fri, 10 Jul 2026Full card set for ProBoxTV on July 18 in San Bernardino
Fri, 10 Jul 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev promises world-class spectacle ahead of IBA PRO 19 showdown
Fri, 10 Jul 2026Ataev-Uzcategui WBA title eliminator officials named
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 10 Jul 2026GM Joey Antonio is set to defend his titles at the upcoming sixth Gov. Henry S.Oaminal Chess Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 10 Jul 2026Triple title header in UKC slugfest on July 12
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 09 Jul 2026Coming soon Chávez vs Chávez new documentary TV series
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 09 Jul 2026ANDY RUIZ JR. PENS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Thu, 09 Jul 2026US based NM OJ Reyes eyes another title
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 09 Jul 2026Legane fights on August 2 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 08 Jul 2026"The Greatest" Muhammad Ali biographical mini series to stream on Prime Video starting November 4
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 08 Jul 2026Ramon Cardenas-Leonardo Carrillo, plus two more 10-round fights added to Lester Martinez-Luka Plantic card
Wed, 08 Jul 202656th Annual NABF Convention Concludes with Resounding Success in Savannah, Georgia
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 08 Jul 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev: IOC had no choice but to accept lifting the restrictions on Russian athletes
Wed, 08 Jul 2026Martin dares Inoue, Casimero
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 07 Jul 2026