MANILA, Philippines – Grandmaster (GM) Rogelio “Joey” Antonio, Jr., dominated the Master division of the 3rd Gathering of Knights and Kings (Fianchetto Invitational Chess Tournament) in Quezon City on Sunday.

Antonio defeated National Master (NM) Ali Branzuela in the finals (2-game match, 7 minutes with 3 seconds increment), 1.5-0.5, to capture the Master division title and the top prize worth P6,000.

Antonio, 12-time RP Open champion, is also a sergeant at the Headquarters Service Support Group (HSSG) of the Philippine Army.

He got past former University of Manila (UM) teammate International Master (IM) Rolando Nolte for the last finals spot using the white pieces in their Alekhine Skirmish.  

Branzuela, meantime, booked his seat in the finals after topping the five round Swiss-system elimination round with 4.5 points.

Antonio, Nolte and GM Wesley So tallied identical 4.0 points each. After the tie break points were applied, Antonio landed over-all 2nd place in the elimination round followed by Nolte and So who failed to enter the playoff match.

Nolte was the 3rd placer while So finished in 4th place.

Meanwhile, Ray Marras took the Executive title after edging National Chess Federation of the Philippines official Wilfredo “Willie” Abalos, 2-1.

The event’s Non-Master champion was Narquinden Reyes, who defeated Clement Valledor, 2-1.

Paolo Bersamina, on the other hand, ruled the Women and Kiddies tiara. The reigning RP Boy 12-and-under champion beat Prince Kenneth Reyes, 2-0, in the finals.

The 3rd Gathering of Knights and Kings was hosted by sportsman/businessman Cesar Iligan and organized by Fianchetto Realty Development Corporation.

Asia’s First GM Eugene Torre was the event’s Project Director while International Arbiter Gene Poliarco served as Chief Arbiter.

The one-day tournament was held at the Rooftop of Prince Gregory Condominium in Cubao. – by Marlon Bernardino

Final Standings: (Master division/35 players)
 
Champion: GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio, Jr.
2nd place: NM Ali Branzuela
3rd place: IM Rolando Nolte
4th place: GM Wesley So
5th place: IM Petronio Roca
6th place: GM Darwin Laylo
7th place: IM Barlo Nadera
8th place: NM Roberto Suelo, Jr.
9th place: GM Jayson Gonzales
10th place: NM Allan Macalla
11th place: RP and US master Almario Marlon Bernardino, Jr.
12th place: NM Erwin Carag
13th place: NM Rudy Ibanez
14th place: NM Mirabeau Maga
15th place: FM Deniel Causo
16th place: NM Edgardo Garma
17th place: IM Ronald Bancod
18th place: NM Raymond Salcedo
19th place: IM Emmanuel Senador
20th place: IM Chito Garma
21st place: Mark Ingcad
22nd place: NM Allan Sasot
23rd place: NM Elias Lao
24th place: FM Adrian Ros Pacis
25th place: FM Leonardo Carlos
26th place: NM Julius Sinangote
27th place: NM Efren Bagamasbad
28th place: NM Andrew Vasquez
29th place: Jerry Areque
30th place: NM Alex Milagrosa
31st place: NM Ponciano Badilles
32nd place: NM Eduardo Agagon
33rd place: Rodolfo Panopio, Jr.
34th place: NM Edmundo Gatus
35th place: NM Samuel Estimo