Pinoy chessers off to hot start in Italy World Senior Chess Championships
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 22 Oct 2025
Gallipoli, Italy---Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. and FIDE Master Mario Mangubat led the rampaging start of Filipino chess players in the 2025 FIDE World Senior Chess Championships in Gallipoli, Italy on Tuesday.
The 19th-seeded Antonio (Elo 2358) defeated 96th seed Paulo Santanna (Elo 2013) of Brazil while the 105th-seeded Mangubat (Elo 2003) toppled 222nd seed Undriadi Benggawan (Elo 1656) of Canada.
However, another Filipino entry International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad was beaten by 7th seed Grandmaster Nikolay A. Legky (Elo 2325) of France.
The Filipinos trip is supported by PSC Chairman John Patrick Gregorio, PSC commissioner Ed Hayco, PSC commissioner Olivia "Bong" Coo, NCFP Chairman/President Prospero 'Butch' Pichay Jr., NCFP CEO/Executive Director Jayson Gonzales, GAB Chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, PAGCOR Chairman/CEO Alejandro Tengco, Hotel Sogo Corporate Marketing Manager Maria Suzette Geminiano, PEZA Director General Tesoro Panga , Sportsman Christopher "Dong" Cheng and Rezostar Corporation Company President Travis Vincent Chua.
The 63-year-old Quezon City resident Antonio, who is aiming to surpass his runner-up finish in the 50+category during the 2017 edition in Acqui Terme, Italy will face 59th seed Rogelio Superb Becker (Elo 2152) of Brazil in the second round, who brought down 136th seed Raffaele Riga (Elo 1801) of Italy.
"I hope to do well in this event," said the 13-time Philippine Open Champion Antonio.
In the second round of the 65 over category, the 66-year-old Minglanilla, Cebu ace Mangubat will face FIDE Master Markku I.O. Henttinen (Elo 2197) of Finland while the 69-year-old Quezon City pride Bagamasbad will meet Eero Patola (Elo 1850) of Finland.
Grandmaster Kiril Georgiev (Elo 2526) of Georgia, the tournament top seed in the 50+ category won his first round match against Candidate Master Josse Mark (Elo 2107) of England while Grandmaster Zurab Sturua (Elo 2491) of Georgia, top pick in the 65 over category subdued Jean-Louis Pivard (Elo 1984) of France.-Marlon Bernardino-
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