PANGUNGUNAHAN ni 13-times Philippine Open champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. ang mga matitikas na kalahok sa ‘The Search for the next Wesley So’ invitational active chess tournament sa Marso 24-25 sa Alphaland Makati Place (2nd Floor) sa 7232 Ayala Avenue Corner Malugay Street (malapit sa Makati Fire Station) sa Makati City.
Bagama’t 56 anyos na, nanatiling malupit at matalas ang isip ni Antonio na patuloy na nagwawagi sa local at internation al tournament, kabilang ang pagiging vice champion sa 27th World Senior Chess Championship 2017 (50+ and 65+ Open-men and women) na ginanap sa Acqui Terme, Italy nitong Nobyembre.
“I will do my very best” sabi ni Antonio na nagsagawa ng 30 board simultaneous chess exhibition nitong Sabado sa Alphaland Makati Place.
Ilan sa makakalaban ni Antonio ay si eight-year-old Al-Basher “Basty” Buto kasama ang kanyang ka team mate na sina Michael Concio, Mark Jay Bacojo, Daniel Quizon, Jerlyn Mae San Diego at Kylen Joy Mordido, miyembro ng Philippine team na nagkopo ng overall championships trophy sa 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nation Age Group Chess Championship na ginanap sa Grand Darul Makmur Hotel sa Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia nitong Disyembre.
May cash incentives din; Karl Eldrew Yulo, tumanggap ng ₱500K mula kay Chavit!
Ayon kay National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) treasurer Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe, may total pot prize P50,000 ang inilatag ni National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Surigao del Sur. Rep. Prospero “Butch” Arreza Pichay Jr. kung saan ang magkakampeon ay may nakalaan sa lion share na P20,000.
Ang rate of play ay 30 minutes plus five seconds delay active time control format sa two-day affair na layuning mahasa at madevelop ang talento ng country’s youth stars ayon kay Atty.Orbe.
“ Watch out for this big event guys! Special thanks to Cong. Prospero Pichay for spearheading this project.” sabi ni Atty. Orbe, founding president ng newly-formed Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA).
