Filipino Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. defeated Argentinian Candidate Master Martin Daneri to remain in second place after eight rounds of the III Internacional de Ajedrez Cap Negret Chess Championship 50 and above category on Saturday at the Hotel Cap Negret, Altea, Alicante, Spain.
The 13-time Philippine Open champion Antonio prevailed with the white pieces after 25 moves of a French defense.
“I will go out for the win in the last round,” 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.
Antonio tallied 6.5 points on account of five wins and three draws in eight outings.
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 and Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita 'Menchie' Aguilar- Abalos.
Grandmaster Keith Arkell of England toppled Paulo Santanna of Brazil to post his third straight win. Thus, Arkell hold the 1.0-point lead with 7.5 points going to the last round.
In other matches, International Master Angus Dunnington of Scotland subdued Francisco Manuel Gimenez Peral of Spain while Rogerio Sperb Becker of Brazil split the point with Javier Unciti Juan of Spain.
Dunnington, Becker and Unciti Juan got 5.5 points each.
In the ninth and final round, Dunnington vs Arkell on Board One, Antonio opposite Unciti Juan on Board Two while Becker goes up against FIDE Master Joseph Ryan of Ireland on Board Three. Ryan led huge group of five pointers. -Marlon Bernardino-
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