Antonio, Bagamasbad off to good start in Melbourne chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 08 Apr 2025
Grandmaster (GM) Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. and International Master (IM) Jose Efren Bagamasbad got off to a blazing start by posting victory and a draw in the opening round of the Melbourne International Open 2025 on Monday, April 7, 2025 at the Melbourne Chess Club in Melbourne, Australia.
The 63-year-old Antonio, playing white, defeated FIDE Master Ray Yang of Australia in 41 moves of Caro Kann defense, two knights variation.
"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.
On the part of 68-year-old Bagamasbad, also playing white, halved the point with Candidate Master Rheyansh Reddy Annapureddy of Australia in 77 moves of Sicilian defense, Rossolimo variation.
"We hope to perform well in this event and gain some Elo rating points," added Bagamasbad.
Antonio's Australian Chess Circuit campaign is backed up by the Philippine Sports Commission, Senator Manny Pacquiao, Col. Jaime Osit Santos, David Almirol and Bert Cunan while Bagamasbad's Australian Chess Circuit campaign was made possible with the support of the Quezon City government headed by Mayor Joy Belmonte and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) chairman and CEO Alejandro “Al” Tengco.
Antonio and Bagamasbad, both residents of Quezon City, are scheduled to play in the 2025 O2C Doeberl Cup Chess Tournament to be held at Canberra from April 17 - 21 2025, and the Sydney International Open 2025 to be held at Sydney from April 23-27, 2025.
Antonio and Bagamasbad will also represent the country in the FIDE (World Chess Federation) World Seniors Chess Championship on October 20 to November 2, 2025 in Gallipoli, Puglia, Italy.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Signed, Sealed… but Still Unsettled: Unanswered Questions Hang Over Fury-Joshua Ahead of Expected Ink
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 29 Jul 2026VETERAN SAVVY VS UNDEFEATED POWER: MUGICHA NAKAGAWA VS LEMUEL DE BARBO AUGUST 1 IN LA TRINIDAD
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 29 Jul 2026SKYE NICOLSON TO DEFEND WORLD TITLE AGAINST MIYO YOSHIDA ON AUG 29 IN BIRMINGHAM AS MATCHROOM AND MVP ANNOUNCE ALLIANCE
Wed, 29 Jul 2026Tickets for Martinez vs. Plantic in Los Angles, Saturday, August 29
Wed, 29 Jul 2026Grandy Twins Celebrate Milestone 18th Birthday, Set to Shine at BiYu Promotions' "Fights Under the Lights" on August 14
Tue, 28 Jul 2026Sergeev and Lubkovich set for key bouts at WINLINE. IBA.PRO 20 in Naberezhnye Chelny
Tue, 28 Jul 2026Hard-hitting SEA Games bronze medalist Mark Ashley Fajardo signs with Sanman Boxing
Tue, 28 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 27 JULY 2026: Tszyu vs Spence, Return of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury Highlight Busy Week
By Eric Armit, Tue, 28 Jul 2026The Legacy Continues: Team Durán Prepares for Historic Panama-Mexico Showdown
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 28 Jul 2026NM Ric Portugalera Tops Hongkong Blitz Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 28 Jul 2026Nurghali gets second shot at Japparbergenov’s bantamweight title at International Boxing Day in Astana
Tue, 28 Jul 2026Champion's Mindset: Gustavo Trujillo Ready to Defend BKB Heavyweight Title Against Mark O'Neil at BKB 58
Tue, 28 Jul 2026Spanish boxer Eddine has been Hospitalized in Spain
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 28 Jul 2026PH football in group C, G
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 28 Jul 2026PHILBOXING.COM MONDAY ROUNDUP: Tszyu Outclasses Spence in Sydney as "The Truth" Retires; Heavyweight Drama in Pattaya and Jeddah
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Mon, 27 Jul 2026