GRANDMASTER Rogelio Antonio Jr. is set to defend his titles in the 6th Gov. Henry Oaminal Chess Championships on July 11-12 at the Ozamiz City Gymnasium, Misamis Occidental.
The 13-time Philippine Open champion is fresh from a stellar performance at the Asean Seniors Chess Championships in Penang, Malaysia where he collected eight medals, including four golds.
The 64-year-old Antonio also won the gold medal in the blitz event of the World Seniors Chess Championships at the Grand Hotel Costa Brada in Gallipoli, Italy and the silver medal at the III International de Ajedrez Cap Negret Chess Championship in Alicante, Spain.
“I hope to perform well and gain some elo rating points in Ozamiz City,” said Antonio, who is expected to face the country’s top grandmasters and international masters in the tournament.
Backed by Misamis Occidental Gov. Henry Oaminal, the annual chess festival has invited Eugene Torre, Asia’s first chess grandmaster, to deliver an inspirational talk at the opening ceremony.
He will also take part in the ceremonial opening moves to jumpstart the tournament along with the governor, Rep. Henry Oaminal Jr., Rep. Sancho Fernando Oaminal and Ozamis City Mayor Sam Norman Fuentes.
The opening rites will also be graced by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) CEO/executive director GM Jayson Gonzales and director Rey Urbiztondo, who is also the president of the organizing Asenso Misamis Occidental Chess Association (Amofca).
The chess tournament is part of the Charter Day celebration of Ozamiz.
Aside from the individual tournament for the Open, High School and Elementary categories, a “Tatluhan” team tournament will also be held as a side event.
“This is the biggest Mindanao chess tournament of the year with a cash prize of P500,000,” Urbiztondo said.
“The legacy continues for the 6th Governor Henry S. Oaminal Chess Festival, a FIDE rated tournament.”
Before the tournament proper, a series of simultaneous chess matches against young local players will be held by GM Torre, GM Antonio, GM Gonzales, GM Daniel Quizon and Woman GM Janelle Mae Frayna.