GM Joey Antonio Wins Dan Jorda & IIEE-Bayanihan Rapid Chess Event

Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. finished undefeated in the Dan Jorda & IIEE-Bayanihan Chess Club FIDE-rated Open Rapid Chess Tournament held Sunday, February 25 at the Sentro Artista, Arton Strip, Rockwell, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines.

In photo above are (from left) Tournament Director NM Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., Jerson Ong, IIEE (Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers Of The Philippines), GM Joey Antonio, National Past President Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez, IIEE Branding and Promotion Vice Chairman Engr. Menandro Lim, IIEE National Secretary Engr. Joseph Darren Solicar and IIEE National Auditor Engr. Adrian Rey after the awarding ceremony. (Contributed photo by Engr. Ervin Fernandez).

For his feat, Antonio pocketed P1,500, plus an Amador Inlayo, the “Monalisa 2.0” art painting worth P15,000, Genesis Xyngular product, Axe Brand Universal Oil and a gold medal.

Antonio rode on a blistering start as he hurdled his two opponents – Adrian Alarcon in the first round and WNM Rinoa Mariel Sadey in the second round. He drew with IM Barlo Nadera in the third round then beat Gabriel Ryan Paradero in the fourth round, IM Angelo Young in the fifth round and NM Jose Aquino Jr. in the sixth and final round enroute the coveted chess title.
Over-all Antonio finished with five wins and a draw in six outings.
” A best birthday gift,” added Antonio, who turned 62 last February 19.
FM Mark Jay Bacojo, FM Randy Segarra and FM Noel Dela Cruz finished the tournament with similar 5.0 points while Aquino, Young, John Lance Valencia, WNM Francois Marie Magpily, NM Oscar Joseph Cantela and Nadera have identical 4.5 points.
Adjudged category winners were Bacojo, Segarra, Dela Cruz (top master), Valencia and Paradero (top non-master), Magpily (top lady), Young (top senior), 8-year-old Danry Seth Romualdez  (top kiddy) and lawyer Rudy Rivera (top PWD).

Asia’s First GM Eugene Torre vs Executive Producer of Exhibit Today Ric Angeles, GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr.vs Carson, California based Danilo Jorda, WGM Janelle Mae Frayna vs lawyer Rodolfo Enrique “Rudy” Rivera,  Engr. Roger Reyes vs NCFP Director Martin Gaticales and IIEE National Past President Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez vs IM Angelo Young made the ceremonial moves kicking off the one-day tournament also graced by Engr. Ervin Fernandez, Engr. Menandro Lim, Engr. Joseph Darren Solicar and Engr. Adrian Rey. (Contributed photo by CM Genghis Imperial)

Earlier, Asia’s First GM Eugene Torre vs Executive Producer of Exhibit Today Ric Angeles, GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr.vs Carson, California based Danilo Jorda, WGM Janelle Mae Frayna vs lawyer Rodolfo Enrique “Rudy” Rivera,  Engr. Roger Reyes vs NCFP Director Martin Gaticales and IIEE National Past President Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez vs IM Angelo Young made the ceremonial moves kicking off the one-day tournament also graced by Engr. Ervin Fernandez, Engr. Menandro Lim, Engr. Joseph Darren Solicar and Engr. Adrian Rey.
“The event is aimed at developing good thinkers through the understanding of chess strategies and tactics, improving the logical abilities and rational thinking and reasoning of the participants, and instilling a sense of self-confidence, self-worth and camaraderie,”  said former Senator Antonio Trillanes, a chess enthusiast who personally visited the tournament.
The  Dan Jorda & IIEE-Bayanihan Chess Club FIDE-rated Open Rapid Chess Tournament was supported by NA Ranier Bonoan Pascual, Engr. Gerry Gamaro, Engr. Roger Reyes, Engr. Robert Arellano, Engr. Ervin Fernandez of Genikos, Engr. Joseph Darren Solicar of CSC Construction, Engr. Butch Florido, Engr. Efren Rocamora, Dr. Joe Balinas,  lawyer Juman Paa, Travis Vincent Chua, Genesis Xyngular product, Axe Brand Universal Oil, Starshots Coffee, Nova Wellness store and veteran journalist Jay Ruiz and wife Marj Ruiz.
The next IIEE-Bayanihan Chess Caravan goes to Cafemilya Coffee Shop Luisita, Tarlac City on April 10 backed up by Engr. Roger Reyes in close cooperation with Tarlac chess organizer Henry and Regina Calacday and Alfred Miranda.-Marlon Bernardino-