GM Antonio holds 24-board simul

I salute GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. for his noble contribution to Philippine chess.

Over the weekend, he staged a 24-board simul exhibition at the Meralco Chess Club as a fund-raising move to benefit the Philippine PARA Chess Team who are composed of blind and handicapped players.

And he did that worthy cause for free.

We pray that he continue making the right moves for Philippine chess! Thank you, GM Joey.

Here is a report written by NM Marlon Bernardino about the event:

"WORLD CHESS CUP bound Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., flashed his old deadly form after a magnificent performance in a rare simultaneous chess exhibition on Saturday at the Basement Canteen, Lopez Bldg, in Meralco, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

The twelve (12) time National Open Champion Antonio, who hails from Calapan Oriental, Mindoro finish undefeated in the 24-board event on account of eighteen (18) wins and four (4) draws, a fund-raising drive for RP Paralympics Chess Team, organized by Meralco Chess Club headed by president Rolly Sol Cruz.

The Quezon City based Antonio, top player of multi-titlist Philippine Army Chess Team is scheduled on Monday, to pay a courtesy call to Vice President Noli “Kabayan” De Castro. De Castro, a former journalist is a native of Pola, Oriental Mindoro.

Antonio, along with GMs Wesley So and Darwin Laylo will represent the country in the World Chess Cup on November 20 to December 15 in Khanty- Mansiysk, Russia– a historic feat in Philippine chess with three campaigners.

La Salle Greenhills pupil Earl Cabugao and Rhal Sol Cruz each secured a golden draw together with Darryl Mata and Ronnie Dellota of Meralco, Spawn2 and Pulsar of Brgy Wesley Chess Club.
Cabugao, a freshman at LSGH, able defended with the Sicilian to earn the draw in 22 moves while Sol Cruz, a Grade 6 student, crossed the Italian Opening to secure the draw in 27 moves.

Both Cabugao and Sol Cruz are trained by LSGH head coach NM Erwin Carag and former Meralco top player NM Andrew Vasquez.

GM Antonio in action

The participants who joined the good cause.