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ATTN: SPORTS SECTION PLEASE
GM “JOEY” READILY ACCEPTED THE CHALLENGE; 1 vs 600: PINOY IRONMAN
Past and Present world record:
GM Morteza Mahjoob of Iran (500 opponents in August 2009)
GM Kiril Georgiev of Bulgaria (360 opponents in February 2009)
GM Susan Polgar of the USA (350 opponents in 2005)
IM Andrew Martin of Great Britain (321 opponents in 2004)
GM Ulf Anderson of Switzerland (310 opponents in 1996)
OWING to his better form recently, Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio, Jr. will carry the country’s hopes to break the current world record for most number of simultaneous opponents in chess.
GM Mark Paragua is initially considered to try and break the current Guinness simultaneous chess world record held by Iran’s GM Morteza Mahjoob. But a spate of poor performances from the first Filipino super grandmaster in big tournaments makes even him doubt that he’s up to the task.
“We’re no longer talking of personal glory here,” Paragua said in Filipino. “GM Joey will have a better shot to break the record.”
Antonio readily accepted the challenge.
“My game has been pretty sharp recently. I hope I’ll be up to the task and make our country proud,” said the Sta, Mesa, Manila born Antonio, the pride of Calapan, Oriental, Mindoro.
The twelve time national open champion Antonio mowed a strong field in the blitz team competition of the 3rd Asian Indoor Games last week in Hanoi, Vietnam, posting 8.5 points in nine games while Paragua only came up with a measly 4.0 points.
The former University of Manila standout is also the best Filipino finisher in last month’s PGMA Cup and Pichay Cup.
Antonio, the country’s second ranked player behind GM Wesley So, is the first of three Filipinos to qualify in the World Cup 2009 (FIDE World Chess Championships) slated on Nov. 20 to Dec. 15 in Khanty, Mansiyk, Russia. The other Filipinos to qualify are So and GM Darwin Laylo.
His record breaking attempt will be held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Jan. 22-23, 2010. The event will be dubbed 1 vs. 600: Pinoy Ironman.
Supporting the event organized by Touch of Gold Enterprises is Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Department of Tourism (DOT), Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), Manila Sports Council (MASCO) Chairman Niño dela Cruz, City of Manila, Filway Marketings Inc. CEO/ President Hector "Chito" Tagaysay, g4 chess club and Meralco Chess Club.
Wilfredo “Willie” Abalos of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) will head the list of arbiters.