Antonio

Grandmaster Joey Antonio dismantled International Master Luis Chiong's Sicilian Defense with precise counterplay and won in 68 moves in the first of their best-of-two long-game duel in the quarterfinals of the First Chess Pambansa Millennium Grand Prix at the PNB Finance Center in Pasay City yesterday.

Antonio used his favorite Alapin variation against Chiong, parrying a dangerous kingside attack with accuracy while protecting two connected passed pawns at queenside.

With Chiong's kingside siege under check, Antonio ensured the win with the unmistakable march of his pawns to the eighth rank.

Antonio needs only a draw today to avert an active-chess playoff and gain a place in the semifinals.

National Master Richard Bitoon of Cebu province pounced on a middlegame blunder by NM Ernesto Absin of Butuan City to fashion out a 55-move victory in a Modern Defense in the other quarterfinal match.

Also pulling off crucial victories were third seed International Master Buenaventura Villamayor of Quezon and NM Enrique Paciencia, Jr. of Marikina City.