Antonio, Bagamasbad win at World Seniors

GRANDMASTER (GM) Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. (Elo 2397) and FIDE Master (FM) Jose Efren Bagamasbad (Elo 2051) of the Philippines remained unbeaten after two rounds in the 30th FIDE World Senior Individual Chess Championship at the Hotel Cenacolo in Assisi, Umbria, Italy.

Playing the black pieces, the 13-time Philippine Open champion Antonio defeated Slovakia’s FM Milan Kolesar (Elo 2136) in 80 moves of a Reti Opening game on Wednesday night.

“Last man standing kami. Huling natapos,” Antonio said referring to his marathon match versus Kolesar.

Bagamasbad, the 66th seed here, stunned 8th seed GM Jens Kristiansen (Elo 2353) of Denmark as he prevailed in 26 moves of the Hybrid Queens Indian Dutch using the black pieces.

“I usually focus on one game at a time,” said Bagamasbad, who topped the Asian Seniors Chess Championship in the over-65 category division last month in Auckland, New Zealand.

Joining Antonio and Bagamasbad in the crowded leaderboard are GM Zurab Sturua of Georgia, GM Ivan Morovic Fernandez of Chile, GM Frank Holzke and GM Klaus Bischoff of Germany, GM Milos Pavlovic of Serbia, GM Darcy Lima of Brazil, GM Maxim Novik of Lithuania, GM Eric Prie of France and 15 other players.

The third Filipino in the tournament, International Master Angelo Abundo Young (Elo 2309) bounced back after an opening round loss by beating Spain’s Marco Di Paolo (Elo 1833) in 25 moves of the Pribyl defense using the black pieces.

“Sayang ang first game ko, pero sabi ko sa sarili ko bawi na lang at nanalo

naman sa