GM Antonio leads Pinoys chessers in NA Open Chess
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 12/18/2008 4:02 AM
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Filipino Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio will lead a group of Filipino chess masters in the 18th Annual North American Open Chess Championship, which will kick off December 27 at the Bally’s Casino Resort Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The BilliardPhilippines.com said Antonio will be joined by fellow Filipinos reigning US Open champion IM Enrico “Ikong” Sevillano, US masters Bart Navarro and Ruben Ondangan.
The North American Open offers a $150,000 total prize. The champion in the Open section will bring home $12,000.
Antonio, 12-time National Open champion, is seeking to continue his winning streak in the US Chess Circuit.
“Sana ipagpatuloy n’yo po ang pagdasal sa akin at sa iba pa nating kababayan na maglalaro sa North American Open Chess,” Antonio told BilliardPhilippines.com’s Marlon Bernardino.
The Calapan, Oriental Mindoro native is supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines president Prospero Pichay Jr., Philippines Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez and Filipino boxing idol Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.
Antonio has scored seven straight victories in the US circuit this year, including the recent 10th annual Joseph Ileto Memorial Open Chess Championships.
