GM Joey remains on top

Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., playing white, split the points with Grandmaster Michal Krasenkow of Poland after 14 moves of Giuco Piano Opening to remain on top after Round 6 of the 33rd FIDE World Senior Chess Championships at the Grand Hotel Brada in Gallipoli, Italy on Sunday.

With the draw, Antonio raised his total to 5.0 points on four wins and two draws in the 50 and above category.

Also with 5.0 points are Krasenkov, GM Mikheil Kekelidzev of Georgia and his seventh round opponent GM Victor Mikhalevski of Israel.

Meanwhile, International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, playing black defeated Salvatore Riccardo Gueci of Italy after 66 moves of French defense so did as FIDE Master Mario Mangubat, playing white beat Reinhard Bachler of Austria after 38 moves of Philidors Defense.

Bagamasbad and Mangubat tallied 4.0 points apiece in the 65 over category.

Bagamasbad will face Eric Boulard of France while Mangubat goes up against IM Herman Van Riemsdijk of Brazil. Filipino chess athletes campaign is being supported by PSC Chairman John Patrick Gregorio, Commissioner Ed Hayco, Commissioner Olivia 'Bong' Coo, GAB chairman Atty Francisco Rivera, PAGCOR Chairman/CEO Alejandro Tengco, Hotel Sogo Corporate Marketing Manager Maria Suzette Geminiano , PEZA Director General Theo Panga , Composite Technology Inc. President and General Manager Ricardo Padrinao and Sportsman Christopher 'Dong' Cheng. -Marlon Bernardino-