GM Antonio tops nat’l rapid chess, Cebu’s Bitoon places 2nd

MANILA, Philippines—Grandmaster (GM) Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., flashed his deadly form anew as he captured the 2013 National Rapid Chess Championship last Sunday at the Philippine Sports Commission National Athletes’ Dining Hall inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, here.

The 12-time national open champion of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro collected 7.5 points in nine rounds of play in the centerpiece Open division.

Antonio took home P10,000 cash in the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP)-organized tournament in coordination with the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Sharing second and third spots with 7.0 points apiece are GM Richard Bitoon of Medellin, Cebu and National Master Jerad Docena of Antequera, Bohol.

International Master Oliver Dimakiling of Davao City, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Manila, GM Mark Paragua of Quezon City and Fide Master Paulo Bersamina of Pasay City landed in the fourth spot with 6.5 points each.

Meanwhile, Woman National Master Jedara Docena of Antequera, Bohol and Daryl Unix Samantila of Malabon topped the women’s and kiddies 14 and under brackets, respectively.

Last Saturday, International Master Ronald Dableo of Manila, Woman Fide Master Cherry Ann Mejia of Pangasinan and Darry Bernardo of Pampanga emerged over-all champion in the blitz competition of the Open, women’s and kiddies 14 and under brackets.

International Arbiter Gene Poliarco served as chief arbiter, NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales was the tournament director while NCFP Deputy Secretary-General Red Dumuk hosted the event.