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:
Preparation and Planning are Keys to Pacquiao’s Success
By Ed de la Vega, DDS, Wed, 04 Jun 2025THURSDAY: Albert Ramirez-Michael Flannery Battle of Unbeatens to Stream LIVE in the U.S. on ESPN+
Wed, 04 Jun 2025Is Martin next Manny?
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 04 Jun 2025AMMO LANDS IBF WORLD TITLE FINAL ELIMINATOR AGAINST OLIHA ON BAM-CAFU SHOW
Wed, 04 Jun 2025Bree Howling Ready to Shine in Battle of Undefeated Bantamweights on Most Valuable Prospects 13 June 7th
Wed, 04 Jun 2025HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT FIGHT WEEK NEWS AND NOTES
Wed, 04 Jun 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 6 - ALI KNOCKS FOREMAN OUT IN RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE
By Maloney L. Samaco, Tue, 03 Jun 2025WEIGHTS FROM NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
Tue, 03 Jun 2025CSAC Overturns Navarrete-Suarez Result, Orders Immediate Rematch
Tue, 03 Jun 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 2 June 2025: Takei Stops Tongdee in 1; Nunez Defeats Rikiishi; Melikuziev Outpoints Fulghum; Resendiz Upsets Plant; Charlo Stops LaManna
By Eric Armit, Tue, 03 Jun 2025Undefeated Bantamweight Reina Tellez to Face Veteran Maria Salinas on Most Valuable Prospects 13
Tue, 03 Jun 2025Former New York Boxing Chairperson Ron Scott Stevens still enthusiastic about Boxing, Film & Theater in California
Tue, 03 Jun 2025FM Cu rules Chess Mind Grandprix May Edition
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Jun 2025Brooklyn Heavyweight Pryce Taylor to honor George Foreman this Friday night at Turning Stone on International Boxing HOF Night
Tue, 03 Jun 2025HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR THREE-DIVISION CHAMPION MIKE MCCALLUM
Tue, 03 Jun 2025