Filipino GM Antonio beats Serbia's IM for share of lead in Caberra Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 20 Apr 2025
Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. crushed International Master Mihajlo Radovanovic of Serbia to seize a share of the lead almost halfway through the Premier division of the 2025 O2C Doeberl Cup Chess Tournament in Canberra, Australia, on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
This victory, with Antonio defending well against Radovanovic's tactics, put him on top alongside Grandmaster Guha Mitrabha of India, who defeated Grandmaster Jacek Stopa of Poland.
"I hope I can sustain the momentum," the 63-year-old Antonio said, who finished second behind eventual champion Mitrabha in the rapid competition of the Melbourne International Open Chess Championship last week.
Antonio and Mitrabha both have tallied 5.0 points apiece in six outings.
FIDE Master Arteaga Alexis Vargas of Colombia beat International Master Gary Lane of Australia to score 4.5 points, the same output as Grandmaster Das Sayantan of India, Grandmaster Zhao Zong-Yuan of Australia, and Zhu Harvey of Australia.
Sayantan split the points with Zong-Yuan, while Harvey dismantled FIDE Master Kai Jie Soo of Australia.
Another Filipino entry, International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, wasn't fortunate this time, losing to Woman Grandmaster Nguyen Thi Mao Hung of Vietnam.
Elize Cafirma, a Filipino based in Sydney who visits Canberra to show her support to GM Antonio and IM Bagamasbad, hosted dinner and breakfast.
"We (Rogelio Antonio) are very grateful to Elize Cafirma who bought my favorite hamburger for our dinner and hosted breakfast," said the 68-year-old Bagamasbad, who is eyeing his third and final GM norm in the Australian chess circuit.
The Filipinos' Australian chess circuit campaign is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Tereso Panga, Senator Manny Pacquiao, Col. Jaime Osit Santos, David Almirol, Bert Cunan, the Quezon City government headed by Mayor Joy Belmonte, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) chairman and CEO Alejandro "Al" Tengco, and Thick and Thin Cafe.
Antonio and Bagamasbad, both residents of Quezon City, are scheduled to play in the Sydney International Open to be held from April 23 to 27, 2025, in Sydney, Australia.
Antonio and Bagamasbad will also represent the country in the FIDE (World Chess Federation) World Seniors Chess Championships from 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:
Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
By Chris Carlson, Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 11 Feb 2026