FILIPINO Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. brought pride to the Philippines once again by finishing fourth in the Premier Division of the 2025 O2C Doeberl Cup Chess Championships, held from April 17 to 21 in Canberra, Australia.
Antonio tied for third to fifth place with 6.5 points alongside GM Zhao Zong-Yuan of Australia and GM Jacek Stopa of Poland. After tiebreaks, Antonio was awarded fourth place.
GM Guha Mitrabha of India ruled the tournament with 7.5 points, followed by fellow Indian GM Das Sayantan in solo second place with 7.0 points.
“I would like to dedicate this victory to my family, friends, and God,” said the 63-year-old Antonio, who also recently placed second in the rapid event of the Melbourne International Open Chess Championships held on April 11.
Another Filipino contender, international master (IM) Jose Efren Bagamasbad, finished 35th overall with 4.0 points. The FIDE-standard chess tournament featured 59 participants and was organized by IA Shaun Press.
The Filipino players’ campaign in the Australian chess circuit is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Tereso Panga, Senator Manny Pacquiao, Col. Jaime Osit Santos, David Almirol, the Quezon City government led by Mayor Joy Belmonte, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro “Al” Tengco, Thick and Thin Cafe, Bert Cunan, Allan Laurente, Angelito Camer, Ronald Manila, Elize Cafirme, and Rodolfo Enrique Rivera.
Antonio and Bagamasbad, both residents of Quezon City, are next scheduled to compete in the Sydney International Open from April 23 to 27, 2025. They will also represent the Philippines at the FIDE World Seniors Chess Championships from October 20 to November 2, 2025, in Gallipoli, Puglia, Italy. Marlon Bernardino/PR