By Marlon Bernardino
Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. of the Philippines bagged the runner-up honors at the III Internacional de Ajedrez Cap Negret Chess Championship 50 and above category on Sunday at the Hotel Cap Negret in Altea, Alicante, Spain.
Antonio earned 7.0 points on five wins and four draws. Grandmaster Keith Arkell of England pocketed the crown in the FIDE Standard competition with 8.5 points on eight wins and one draw.
Rogerio Sperb Becker of Brazil , Javier Unciti Juan of Spain, Bo-Erik Helen of Finland and Candidate Master Martin Daneri of Argentina settled for third to sixth places with 6.0 points apiece.
Rounding at the top 11 who got 5.5 points each were Paulo Santanna of Brazil (seventh), FIDE Master Joseph Ryan of Ireland (eight), International Master Angus J Dunnington of Scotland (ninth), Pedro Maria Pons of Spain (tenth) and Krishnan Sudharsan of Denmark (eleventh).
Antonio’s participation was supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), Games and Amusement 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, 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 and Congresswoman Alexandria “Queenie” Pahati-Gonzales.
“ I dedicate this victory to all those who get up everyday to fight against the hardships of life, to be better than the day before. To my family , my friends, my relatives, my fans, my country and To God,” the 63-year-old Antonio said, who finished first in the blitz competition of the 33rd FIDE World Senior Blitz Chess Championship held in Gallipoli, Italy last week.-Marlon Bernardino-