Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio Jr. ended the year with a bang by winning the National Rapid chess championship Sunday at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) dining hall.

Fresh from his silver and bronze medal finish in the 27th Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar, Antonio finished the tournament with 7.5 points and pocketed the cash prize of P10,000.

Antonio also finished fourth behind champion Ronald Dableo in the blitz event.

Bitoon and untitled Jerard Docena tied at second with similar seven points but Bitoon took the honor based on higher tiebreak. They received P4,000 each plus chess equipment.

Jedara Docena ruled the women’s division with seven points. Enrica Villa was second on a higher tie break against Loraine Salinas after the two finished with identical 6.5 points.

Docena’s victory foiled Woman FIDE master Cherry Ann Mejia from winning back-to-back after the 18-year-old junior BS psychology student at La Salle earlier ruled the blitz. She landed fourth with six points.

“The big turnout of participants showed chess is getting popular in the country,” said GM and tournament director Jayson Gonzales.

Daryl Unix Samantila topped the kiddies division with nine points. Julius Gonzales finished second with 7.5 and Israelito Rilloraza third with 6.5 points. (Clyde Mariano)

Source: http://sports.tempo.com.ph

Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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