ROGELIO ANTONIO WINS EIGHT US OVER-ALL CHESS TITLE

Champion: GM Rogelio Antonio Jr.
2nd place: IM Emory Tate
3rd place: RP and US Chess Master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr.
4th place: Robert Akopian
Top Under 2200: William Pennucci
Top Under 2000: Arnel Odero

LOS ANGELES, California—FILIPINO Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., continued his winning ways in the US shore as he emerged over-all champion in the 2008 Los Angeles Chess Club (LACC) Open Chess Championships, (New Year’s Day Open, Game 45 minutes) at the Santa Monica Boulevard on Wednesday here.

After settling a draw over Jeremy Stein in the first round, the former University of Manila (UM) stand-out Antonio, the twelve (12)-time National Open Champion, the top player of multi-titlist Philippine Army Chess Team under the baton of AFP Chief of Staff General Alexander Yano , Philippine Army (PA) Commanding General Lt. Gen. Victor S. Ibrado and Special Service Unit (SSU) Commanding Officer Col. Adelmar Tomaro bested Ronald Morris, IM Emory Tate, William Pennucci and RP and US Chess Master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., respectively to secure the title and the championships’ trophy with a total 4.5 points in five outings, in the one-day event organized by USCF Life Senior Master and Chess Instructor Mick Bighamian.
IM Tate took the runner-up place plus trophy by beating US Master Julian Landaw in the final round with 4.0 points.

Bernardino, also a sports writer and radio commentator, meanwhile settled for third by edging Robert Akopian in the tie break points.The duo tallying identical 3.0 points apiece. He also beat Akopian in the fourth round in their Sicilian skirmish.
Adjudged category winner were William Pennucci (Top Under 2200) and Arnel Odero (Top Under 2000). Remigio Pampliega, another Filipino in the field finished with 2.0 points.
It shall be recalled that Antonio failed to win the tough 2008 North American Open Chess Championships last December 29 at the Bally’s Casino Resort and Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The former University of Manila (UM) stand-out failed to convert the winning position against his match to fellow GM Yury Shulman in the penultimate round. Against Shulman (a member of the US Olympic Chess team who bagged the bronze medal during the last Dresden World Chess Olympiad) —Antonio had four pawns and a rook while the former (Shulman) had knight and rook in the end game. If Antonio moves the correctly Rook to g7 will gain him a full point and contention for the title going to the last round. Antonio also bowed to GM Jaan Ehlvest in the final round. Antonio can draw if he plays Qg6+ against Ehlvest. Antonio landed 12th placers along with 11th others with 4.5 points each. He is schedule to play in the tough 16th annual Western Class Championships on January 16 to 19, 2009 at the Southern California Renaissance Hotel in Agoura Hills coincide the celebration of Martin Luther King weekend.
Other Antonio’s chess title in the United States that includes 10th annual Joseph Lleto Memorial Open Chess Championship in Montery Park last December 13 to 14, 2008 Motor City Open at the Universal Chess Club in Auburn Hills, Michigan on November 28 to 30, 17th North American Fide Invitational at the Skokie, Illinois on November 15 to 21, 2008 Los Angeles Open on October 31 to November 2 in Los Angeles, California, 8th Universal Annual Swiss Chess Open on September 28 in Auburn Hills, Michigan and the G/19 on October 19 in Scottdale, Georgia.

BY: NATIONAL MASTER MARLON BERNARDINO