Antonio takes Game 1 in finals

Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio, Jr. showed his deep understanding of the old line of Benoni to trounce NM Enrique Paciencia in 62 moves yesterday and gain the headstart in their best-of-four showdown for the P1 million purse in the Chess Pambansa Millennium Grand Prix at the PNB Finance Center in Pasay City.

Handling the black pieces with aplomb, Antonio seized the initiative early when Paciencia surprisingly lost his way in the intricacies of the opening line of the game, gaining a pawn and positional advantage which he translated into a resounding win and the big psychological edge.

"Sa opening pa lang nakalamang na ako dahil may mali siya doon na pababayaan ko na lang na siya ang humanap," said Antonio, now a win and a draw away from becoming the first Filipino chess millionaire.

He expects to go for the commanding lead today when Game Two is played starting at 1 p.m. with Antonio likely to cash in on whatever advantage he has with the white pieces.

Using the old variation of the same opening he last used in the late 80s during his GM title campaign turned out to be a good ploy for the Asian Zonals-bound Antonio, who controlled the e-file with remarkable resolve that prevented Paciencia from castling on the kingside.

Antonio gained a pawn in that skirmish, then pounded white's fort relentlessly, forcing Paciencia to give up a bishop for two pawns on the 46th to break black's pawn storm.

But that only prolonged Paciencia's agony as Antonio, who whipped NM Richard Bitoon to advance to the finals, cut his unfancied rival down to size with accurate moves to force him to resign on the 63rd.

"Nung lumamang na ako, puro atake na ang ginawa ko although medyo complicated din 'yung posisyon kaya nung bandang huli medyo kunat muna tayo bago umatake ulit," said Antonio.

"Nung bandang huli, napuwersa ko siyang ibigay 'yung bishop niya dahil naipit 'yung king niya. Nagtataka nga ako hindi pa siya nagresign, siguro talagang mahaba ang pasensya nya."