Antonio-Laylo tiff banners Philippine Chess Blitz Online Face Off Series

Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. and Darwin Laylo will rekindle their rivalry as two of the country’s top chess grandmasters collide on April 15 in the Philippine Chess Blitz Online Face Off Series, which will be aired and broadcast live worldwide through the Youtube channel of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).

Backed up by NCFP Chairman/President Rep. Prospero “Butch” Arreza Pichay Jr., the Face Off five minutes, five seconds delay time control format is set to provide Philippine chess another milestone, according to tournament organizer and Philippine Executive Champion Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe.

“It’s nice to be playing again with Darwin,” said Antonio, the Vice Champion of the 27th World Senior Chess Championship 2017 (50+ and 65+ Open-men and women) held in Acqui Terme, Italy last November.

“I feel honored to be invited to play against one of the best chess player in the country and I promise to play my best,” noted Laylo, top player of the star-studded Philippine Army chess team and part of the coaching staff of Ateneo de Manila University.

Antonio and Laylo ended their game in a fighting draw during their last encounter in the “The Search for the next Wesley So” invitational active chess tournament held at the Alphaland Makati Place last March 25. MARLON BERNARDINO