MANILA — Iloilo City chess ace John Paul De Guzman added another international title to his growing résumé after winning the 2nd Bangkok Summer International Chess Open Standard Challenger in Thailand, prevailing on tiebreak to clinch the championship after a fierce battle for the top spot.
De Guzman capped the nine-round tournament with 7.5 points, tying Canada’s Michael Karl Rohland atop the standings before emerging champion via the tiebreak system in the event held at the Royal Benja Hotel in Bangkok.
The latest triumph further cements De Guzman’s reputation as one of the country’s rising international campaigners, following his Singapore Challenger title in 2024 and a runner-up finish in the Bangkok Challenger tournament last year.
The tournament employed a standard time control of 90 minutes with a 30-second increment per move and was organized by the Big Rook Chess Academy headed by Nick Cholapat Chongstitwattana.
“Enjoying the sweet taste of victory,” said De Guzman after clinching the title. “All the hard work finally paid off.”
Seven players shared third place with seven points, including Filipinos Lorenzo Aaron Cantela, Jerick Faeldonia, Carl Zirex Sato and James Infiesto, along with Russia’s Nikolay Gutsulyak and Thailand’s Jarunpol Sajjapornthep.
Another group finished with 6.5 points, composed of Filipinos John Franz De Asis, Woman National Master Antonella Berthe Racasa, Rhoven Roi Castil, Ivan Resti Garcia, Giecel Pacubat, National Master Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. and Cheyzer Crystal Mendoza, as well as Malaysia’s Yusof Kamaluddin and Japan’s Jeremi Nodon.
Faeldonia was named Top Junior, while Sajjapornthep earned Top Senior honors. Racasa took home the Top Lady award, Castil was recognized as Top Unrated, while Sato, Infiesto, De Asis and Mendoza also received special citations, including recognition for members of the Philippine Paralympic chess team.
De Asis likewise praised the organizers for the successful staging of the competition.
“Congratulations to the organizing committee on the fantastic job. Their hard work, great planning, and deep dedication made everything a huge success,” he said./PN
