Antonio, fancied bets triumph in Chess Grand Prix

Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio Jr. and international master Buenaventura Villamayor pulled off impressive wins to gain headway over young opponents in the second round of the first Chess Pambansa Millennium Grand Prix at the PNB Financial Center in Pasay City yesterday.

Employing his pet Caro Kann defense, the 38-year-old second seeded Antonio, representing Quezon City, sacrificed a pawn to seize the initative, then launched a vicious kingside attack with a quality sacrifice, forcing 1996 national juniors champion Roberto Suelo to resign in the 36th move.

The third-ranked Villamayor, also of Quezon City, went one point up on reigning kiddies titlist Sander Severino with a 26-move win in their Queen's Pawn Game.

Other favorites gaining the decisive headstart in the round were IM Rico Mascarinas of Alcoy, Cebu, IM Barlo Nadera of Malabon, NM Petronio Roca of Dasmarinas, Cavite and IM Luis Chiong IV of San Jose, Antique.

NMs Dennis Gutierrez, Ernesto Fernandez and Elmer Sumngat took a piece of the spotlight by pulling off stunning wins.

Gutierrez, ranked 42nd, scored the day's biggest win with a 36-move reversal of 10th pick IM Nelson Mariano -- the 1996 World Juniors third placer -- in a Sicilian defense.

Forty-fifth seeded Fernandez shocked 15th pick Ronald Bancod in 38 moves of a Scotch Game while No. 40 Sumngat stunned the 12th ranked Chito Garma in 41 moves of a French Game.