GM Antonio finishes 2nd, IM Bagamasbad settles for 3rd in Melbourne
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 10 Apr 2025
Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. settled for runner-up honors while International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad ended up third at the conclusion of the Melbourne International Open Chess Championships held April 7 to 9, 2025 at the Melbourne Chess Club in Melbourne, Australia.
The 63-year-old Antonio collected 7.5 points in nine outings on account of 7 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss.
The 68-year-old Bagamasbad, on the other hand, tallied 7.0 points, the same output of WGM Nguyen Thi Mai Hung of Vietnam and CM Li Hui of Macau. After the tie break points were applied, Bagamasbad took third, Nguyen wound up fourth while Li finished 5th.
GM Guha Mitrabha of India took the title with 8.0 points.
Nguyen Ang Kiet of Australia, Kenny Tran of Australia, Maanas Neela of Australia, Mikyle Khurram of Australia finished with similar 6.5 points while FM Yi Liu of Australia, FM Michael Steadman of New Zealand, Daniel Zhang of Australia , Ruthvik Ramakrishna of India and Martin Zhou of New Zealand got 6.0 points each. The tournament attracted 90 participants.
"I would like to dedicate my victory to my family, friends and to God," said the 13-Time Philippine Open Champion Antonio.
"We hope to sustain our fine showing in Canberra as well in Sydney," added Bagamasbad, a two-time Asian Senior 65 over category champion.
The Filipinos' Australian chess circuit campaign is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Senator Manny Pacquiao, Col. Jaime Osit Santos, David Almirol , Bert Cunan, the Quezon City government headed by Mayor Joy Belmonte, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Theo Panga 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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