Armageddon@ Double Dragon.. DG'S CUP PEZA CHESS TOURNAMENT 2025

THE chess nation is gearing up for an extraordinary battle, the DG's Cup 2025 Invitational chess tournament , gets underway at Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Auditorium, DD Dragon Center Meridian Park Building, 10th floor , Double Dragon , Pasay City today(Friday), March 14, 2025, promises one of the most highly anticipated matchups in Philippine chess history headed by 13-time Philippine Open Champion Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. , country's newest Grandmaster Daniel Quizon and other 14 invited chess masters.

Other vying in the 1-day rapid event are IMs Ricardo de Guzman, Chito Danilo Garma , Angelo Young, Barlo Nadera, Jose Efren Bagamasbad and Petronio "Rony" Roca, FM Adrian Ros Pacis and NMs Carlo Lorena, Al-Basher Buto and Edmundo Gatus.

“I’m excited to face the strongest players in the Philippines and also the Armageddon will be fun,” the 63-year- old Antonio said.

When asked about his preparation, he added, “I’ll prepare as I usually do and try to be the best version of myself in every way.” added Antonio, who is also set to compete in the Australian chess circuit next month in Melbourne (April 7 - 14, 2025 ), Canberra (April 17 - 21, 2025) and Sydney (April 23- 27, 2025).

It shall be recalled that the 13-time national open champion Antonio is fresh from winning the 3rd D' Engineer's Cup rapid chess tournament dubbed as the Armageddon Battle of Champions held at the Koten Enterprises Inc. Corporate office in F.B. Harrison Street, Pasay City last Saturday, March 8, 2025.

“This matchup is truly unique, and it’s thrilling to see the country's top woodpushers face off against each other. The Filipino chess community will be watching, ' said Elvira Roca, wife of IM Rony Roca.

Hosted by PEZA Director General Teroso "Theo" Panga, the Armageddon double elimination tournament, (Armageddon format, 10 minutes for white and 9 minutes for black), organized by Bayanihan Chess Club in close cooperation with EPZA/PEZA Retired Employees Association, dangles a total purse of P62,000 with the champion getting the lion share of P20,000.

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) celebrates its 30th anniversary last February 28, 2025.