Antonio leads cast in IA Abundo Memorial chess tilt 

NEWLY-crowned 34th Erkel Memorial Blitz Chess champion GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. became the highest-rated player to confirm his participation in the first IA Toti Abundo Cup Memorial rapid chess tournament on Dec. 5 in Tagaytay City.

Antonio, who is set to represent the country in the 2026 FIDE World Senior Chess Championship in Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia on Nov. 3–14, said the Abundo Memorial rapid chess tournament will be a good way to honor Abundo for his contributions to the growth of Philippine chess.

“Joining the Abundo Cup will be one way of honoring Toti and his continuing legacy not only to the country, but to the whole world of chess,” said Antonio, the “Iron Man” of Philippine chess. 

“Matagal din kaming nagkasama ni Toti at talagang madami kaming natulungan niya, lalo na sa FIDE. Malaki ang nagawa nila ni (former FIDE president Florencio) Campomanes sa chess, hindi lang sa Pilipinas kundi sa buong mundo,” added the 64-year-old Antonio.

The pride of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro is fresh from winning the 34th Erkel Memorial  Blitz Chess Championships in Gyula, Hungary. He finished with 6.5 points on six wins and one draw in the seven-round Swiss system tournament. 

From Hungary, he will fly to Serbia for the 2026 World Senior Individual Chess Championships in Vrnjacka Banja, the largest spa resort in Serbia.

But the coming Abundo Cup in Tagaytay remains on top of Antonio’s mind.

No less than Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino is bankrolling the one-day rapid competition through the Tagaytay Chess Club, headed by Mayor Brent Tolentino and former Cavite Gov. Athena Tolentino.

Tolentino called Abundo a friend who gave his life and all for world chess. 

“Toti was FIDE’s longest-serving member and, in fact, the very person who nominated me as an Honorary FIDE member. Surely, he will be missed,” said Tolentino after Abundo passed away last Dec. 8 at the age of 75.

Tournament director Mike Lapitan said the tournament offers trophies and cash prizes with the champion bringing home the lion’s share of P30,000 in the open division.

The runner-up and the third placer will receive P10,000 and P8,000, respectively.

Cash prizes will be given up to the 10th placers, as well as Top Junior, Top Senior, and Top Woman.

The top 10 finishers in the kiddies category will also receive cash prizes, trophies, and medals.

For registration and other inquiries on the Abundo Cup, call or text IAs Ricky Navalta and Patrick Lee.