Antonio, Garma off to good start in Asian Senior chess
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 16 Oct 2023
TAGAYTAY CITY, Philippines – Grandmasters Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. and International Master Chito Garma got off to a blazing start by posting victories in the opening round of the 12th Asian Senior Chess Championship at the Knights Templar Hotel, Tagaytay City on Sunday.
Antonio defeated countryman Ferdinand Olivares after 21 moves of Sicilian defense while Garma subdued Galymzhan Ibrayev of Kazakhstan after 40 moves of another Sicilian defense.
“The first round is one of the toughest rounds in any tournament. It usually sets the tone of how you’re going to perform,” said Antonio, who finished second in the World Seniors in Acqui Terme, Italy in 2017.
"We hope to perform well in this event and gain some ElO rating points aside from GM norms," added Garma, who topped the Asian Seniors in Tagaytay City in 2018.
IM Barlo Nadera, IM Angelo Abundo Young, and FM Carlos Edgardo Garma also opened with wins.
Nadera scalped Bat-Erdene Badrakh of Mongolia after 47 moves of Queens Gambit Declined, while Young toppled Dubai, UAE based Danilo Reyes after 58 moves of Catalan Opening, while Garma outplayed Irina Bulanova after 40 moves of Sicilian defense.
Other opening day winners in the 50 years old and above division are Singapore based IM Enrique Paciencia and Ricky Navalta.
Defending champion IM Jose Efren Bagamasbad outclassed AFM Zharokov Biket of Kazakhstan to led the opening round winners in the 65-above division that includes FM Adrian Ros Pacis, FM Antonio Molina, NM Mario Mangubat, NM Quirino Sagario, Joselito Dormitorio, Miles Patterson of Australia and IM Baimurzin Aitkazy of Kazakhstan.
The weeklong event is hosted by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino, Cavite Vice Governor Athena Bryana Tolentino in close cooperation with the World Chess Federation, Asian Chess Federation and National Chess Federation of the Philippines chairman and president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr.
Meanwhile, the Philippine chess team headed by Coach National Master Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. together with athletes Charly Jhon Yamson, Jirah Floravie Cutiyog and Maureinn Lepaopao paid a courtesy call to the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President and Tagaytay City mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr. during the opening of the 12th Asian Senior Chess Championship at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay City on Sunday.
The Philippine chess team is scheduled to represent the country in the FIDE World Youth Chess Championship on Nov.12-25 in Montesilvano, Italy.-Marlon Bernardino-
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