GM Joey bounces back into contention
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 30 Oct 2025
Filipino Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. rebounded with a victory over his rival to remain in contention after eight rounds of the 33rd FIDE World Senior Chess Championships at the Grand Hotel Barada in Gallipoli, Italy, on Wednesday.
Smarting from a seventh-round setback to fourth seed Grandmaster Victor Mikhalevski of Israel last Tuesday, the 63-year-old Antonio, playing white, subdued International Master Yerlan Tikzhanov of Kazakhstan after 34 moves of the French Defense. With the win, Antonio climbed to 6.0 points, just a full point behind solo leader Mikhalevski.
Mikhalevski defeated Grandmaster Michele Godena of Italy after 41 moves of the Sicilian Defense, Alapin Variation, to post 7.0 points in eight outings in the 50+ category.
“With still three rounds left, it’s anybody’s race,” said the 19th-seeded Antonio.
In the 65+ division, International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, playing white, toppled Grandmaster Ruslan Pogorelov of Spain after 61 moves of the English Opening to post his fourth straight win. The 69-year-old Bagamasbad tallied 6.0 points on account of six wins and two losses.
Another Filipino entry, FIDE Master Mario Mangubat, playing white, split the point with Eric Boulard of France after 51 moves of the English Opening to raise his total to 5.5 points in the 65+ category.
In the ninth round, Antonio will meet GM Mikheil Kekelidze of Georgia, Bagamasbad will face IM Evgenij Kalegin of Russia, and Mangubat will take on Boris Super of Austria.
The Filipinos’ participation is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), chaired by John Patrick Gregorio, with Commissioners Edward Hayco and Olivia “Bong” Coo; the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), led by Chairman and President Cong. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. and CEO/Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales; Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera; the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), chaired by Alejandro “Al” Tengco; PEZA Director General Tereso Panga; Hotel Sogo Corporate Marketing Manager Maria Suzette Geminiano; sportsman Christopher "Dong" Cheng; Composite Technology Inc. President and General Manager Ricardo Padrinao; Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte; Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita “Menchie” Aguilar-Abalos; Minglanilla, Cebu Mayor Rajiv Enad; Congresswoman Alexandria “Queenie” Pahati-Gonzales; Quezon City Councilor Vincent Belmonte; and Rezostar Corporation President Travis Vincent Chua.
— Marlon Bernardino
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