Antonio rules nat’l blitz chess

MANILA, Philippines - Twelve-time Open champion Joey Antonio captured the 2013 National Rapid Chess Championship with 7.5 points out of a possible nine Sunday at the Philippine Sports Commission National Athletes’ Dining Hall at the  Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The former University of Manila standout Antonio took home the top prize of P10,000 in the tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines in coordination with the PSC and Philippine Olympic Committee.

Sharing second and third places with 7.0 points apiece were GM Richard Bitoon and National Master Jerad Docena.

International Master Oliver Dimakiling, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, GM Mark Paragua and Fide Master Paulo Bersamina were joint fourth with 6.5 points each.

Woman National Master Jedara Docena and Daryl Unix Samantila topped the women’s and kiddies 14 -and-under brackets, respectively.

Other Open category winners were IM Ronald Dableo (blitz), woman Fide Master Cherry Ann Mejia (women) and Darry Bernardo (kiddies 14-under). 

International arbiter Gene Poliarco was chief arbiter while NCFP executive director GM Jayson Gonzales was tournament director.  NCFP deputy secretary-general Red Dumuk was master of ceremonies.