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-
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