GM Joey Antonio rules 3rd leg of Orbe Chess 960

By Kristel Satumbaga

Grandmaster Joey Antonio has made it a habit to top Chess 960, or Fischer-Random, tournaments.

The 54-year-old Antonio Thursday claimed his second title after ruling the third leg of the Cesar Orbe Memorial Chess 960 Series done on online app, chess.com.

Antonio bested Jan Roldan Oriendo of Marikina City in the 11th and final round to end up in a five-player logjam for first place with FIDE Master Narquinden Reyes, Ellan Asuela, John Michael Silvederio of Iloilo City and FM Alekhine Nouri with 8.5 points apiece.

Antonio emerged with the highest tiebreak score of 59.5 to claim his second crown after reigning supreme in the first leg two weeks ago.

Reyes (55.5) took second, Aseula (54.75) third, Silvederio (50) fourth and Nouri (48.75) fifth in this weekly tournament organized by National Chess Federation of the Philippines executive director Cliburn Orbe.

Also claiming a place in the top 10 were Grandmaster Darwin Laylo, Oriendo, Johann Cedrick Gaddi of Taytay and Romeo Sadia III of Escalante.

Meanwhile, Karl Ochoa continued his juggernaut as he snared two titles in the Day Three Santos Optical at PCBA Arena and another Chestropolis Arena tournament on the same day.

Ochoa scored 76 points at PCBA ahead of Asian Para Games gold medalist Henry Lopez with 74 and then edged younger brother Kyle, whom he had the same score of 36, via tiebreak hours after to register his sixth tournament triumph in the last four days.

Source: Manila Bulletin