‎OZAMIZ City ― Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio Jr., 63, achieved a remarkable performance, winning two major chess tournaments within a week here, a feat described as his best season since becoming a senior citizen three years ago.

The 13-time Philippine Open champion, seemingly shaking off fatigue from a recent tournament in Malaysia, topped the Battle of Philippine Champions last Saturday, July 12, then secured the Open category title at the 5th Asenso Ozamiz Fide-Rated Open Chess Tournament last Sunday, July 13. The nine-round tournament was held at the City Gymnasium.

“Joey (Antonio) was unbelievable. He seemed like possessed this time around, coz he’s just like some sort of a journeyman in the past two editions of the Governor Henry Oaminal-backed tourneys in Misamis Occidental province,” said organizer Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo.

After an impressive eight-straight wins, including victories over formidable opponents like Kevin Arquero, GM Darwin Laylo, Johnnel Balquin, and International Master Angelo Young, Antonio faced 20-year-old defending champion Michael Concio Jr. in the ninth and final round.

AMONG THE BEST. Cagayan de Oro’s Lennon Hart Salgados, at right, makes it to the top-10 in the country’s strongest Open chess tournament recently held in Ozamiz City. Photo by Lynde Salgados

Needing only a draw, Antonio, playing with white pieces, opened aggressively with e4, which Concio countered with e5, leading to the Bishop Opening of the Ruy Lopez defense.

Antonio, consistent with his earlier matches, fiercely navigated the middle game complications against the national junior champion from Dasmariñas Chess Academy.

Despite being a pawn down in a Bishop versus Knight endgame, the experienced Antonio exuded confidence, at one point grabbing an idle Queen piece from the side board and hurling it in mid-air, seemingly certain of a peaceful conclusion.

“Matagal na tayong naglalaro, book draw na yon walang development,” Antonio later said after surviving the 50-move count that officially dethroned Concio.

Concio had won the tournament last year against foreign super GM Timur Gareyev, following IM-turned GM Daniel Quizon's victory in 2023.

Antonio, who had also won eight medals for the Philippines, including four golds in a 50-up tournament in Penang, Malaysia, earlier last week, took home P150,000 and the championship trophy. Governor Oaminal had doubled the cash prizes, including Antonio’s first-place earning in the Battle of Champions.

SPOTTED. Prominent Cagayan de Oro businessman William Lim, in yellow collar get-up, is seen here competing in the prestigious 5th Asenso Ozamiz chessfest recently. Photo by Lynde Salgados

Kevin Arquero, Michael Concio Jr., and Dasmariñas compatriot Daniel Quizon finished in a three-way tie with 7.5 points. They received P60,000, P40,000, and P30,000 respectively, along with medals, determined by the Bucholz tiebreaker.

IM Kim Steven Yap of Cebu and National Master Joey Albert Florendo of Zamboanga tied with seven points, earning P10,000 and P6,000 each.

Rounding out the top 10 finishers with 6.5 points were Darwin Laylo of Manila, NM Macacuna Macala of Davao, and the Cagayan de Oro pair of Lennon Hart Salgados and Bryan Jose, each receiving P4,000.

The top 20 finishers in the 116-player Open rivalry included Johnnel Balquin, Kevin Mirano, Aljie Cantonjos, Woman Fide Master Shania Mae Mendoza, Arena Grandmaster Marlon Bernardino, Ronie Pujas, IM Rolando Nolte, Joseph Maestrado Jr., Romeo Canino, and Nazario Ubanan.