Antonio regains top spot with consecutive wins

Standings after five rounds
Open Division: 7.0 points—Antonio; 6.0— Bitoon, Pascua, Turqueza, Docena; 5.0—Torre, Gomez, Laylo; 4.0—Frayna; 3.0—Abelgas;
1.0 —Bersamina

Standings after four rounds

Women’s Division: 6.0 points—Fronda; 5.0 —San Diego, Lozano; 4.0—Perena-Secapito, Mendoza, Bernales; 3.0—Enriquez, Suede, Membrere; 1.0—Pineda

GRANDMASTER Rogelio “Joey” Antonio racked up two victories to wrest the lead in the 2015 Battle of Grandmasters—National Chess Championships at Philippine Sports Commission Athletes’ Dining Hall in Vito Cruz, Manila.

The third-seeded Antonio bested National Master Roel Abelgas in 40 moves of a Caro-Kann in the fourth round, then hurdled Woman International Master Janelle Mae Fronda in 25 of the Nimzo-Indian on Monday night.

The twin wins, which compensated for Antonio’s loss to GM-elect Haridas Pascua in the third round, pushed the many time national champion into the solo lead with seven points under the match-point scoring system.

Antonio, still going strong at 53 years old, moved a point ahead of GM Richard Bitoon, who drew with NM Jerad Docena, and reigning titlist GM Eugene Torre, respectively.

The 17-year-old Docena kept third spot at five points in a tie with Pascua, who only needs to raise his Elo rating to 2500 to become a full-fledged GM, and Fide Master Jose Mari Turqueza.

Torre, GMs John Paul Gomez and Darwin Laylo and Frayna, the lone female entry in the Open division and victor over Torre in the third round, have four points each.

Jan Jodilyn Fronda drew with fellow WIM and Asian junior titlist Mikee Charlene Suede in the fourth round to pace the women’s division with 6 points.