GM Joey Antonio shares the lead in Italy World Seniors Chess Championships
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 23 Oct 2025
Gallipoli, Italy—Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. continues his winning run after Round 2 of the 2025 FIDE World Senior Chess Championships in Gallipoli, Italy, on Wednesday.
Antonio rolled to his second straight win with a 57-move masterpiece over 59th seed Rogerio Sperb Becker (Elo 2152) of Brazil, utilizing the white pieces in a Sicilian Defense, Rossolimo Variation, to continue to lead the way along with 19 others in this 50+ category.
The 19th seed Antonio (Elo 2358) will try to extend his streak as he battles the 72nd seed Duudei Khurelbaatar (Elo 2115) of Mongolia in the third round.
"I'm just taking it a game at a time and just making do with the positions I get into," said the 63-year-old Antonio, who is aiming to surpass his runner-up finish during the 2017 edition in Acqui Terme, Italy.
In the 65+ category,
FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is breathing down the leaders' necks with 1.5 points, along with 55 others.
The 66-year-old Minglanilla, Cebu resident Mangubat (Elo 2003) split the points with FIDE Master Markku I.O. Henttinen (Elo 2197) of Finland after 27 moves of the Hungarian Opening, using the white pieces.
Meanwhile, International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad (Elo 1975), playing black, checkmated Eero Patola (Elo 1850) of Finland after 51 moves of the Sicilian Defense, Staunton-Cochrane Variation, to bounce back into contention and score 1.0 point in the 65+ category.
The Filipinos' trip is supported by Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita 'Menchie' Aguilar-Abalos, Congresswoman Alexandria 'Queenie' Pahati-Gonzales, PAGCOR Chairman/CEO Alejandro Tengco, Hotel Sogo Corporate Marketing Manager Maria Suzette Geminiano, PEZA Director General Tereso Panga, and Sportsman Christopher "Dong" Cheng.
Mangubat will face International Master Victor Manuel Vehi Bach (Elo 2167) of Spain in the third round, while Bagamasbad will slug it out against Olle Algars (Elo 1867) of Sweden.
Tournament favorite Grandmaster Kiril Georgiev (Elo 2526) of Bulgaria halved the point with FIDE Master Victor Plotkin (Elo 2229) of Canada after 21 moves of the Double Fianchetto Opening in the 50+ category, while top seed Grandmaster Zurab Sturua (Elo 2491) of Georgia drew with International Master Nicolas Giffard (Elo 2118) of France after 34 moves of another Double Fianchetto Opening in the 65+ category. -Marlon Bernardino-
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