PH wunderkind Ivan Travis Cu settles for 2nd overall in Vietnam Chess, country's newest FIDE Master
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 27 May 2024
Final Standings:
6.5 points---IM Farid Firman Syah (Indonesia)
6.0 points---CM Ivan Travis Cu (Philippines)
5.0 points---ACM Duong Vu Anh (Vietnam), FM Vrashank Chouhan (India)
4.5 points---FM Masruri Rahman (Indonesia), IM Ricardo De Guzman (Philippines)
4.0 points---IM Angelo Abundo Young (Philippines), CM Aashman Gupta (India)
3.5 points---IM Dao Minh Nhat (Vietnam)
2.0 points---FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca (Philippines)
Manila---PH wunderkind Ivan Travis Cu made the country proud anew by finishing 2nd overall in the Hanoi IM chess tournament: IM B-May held at the Hanoi Old Quarter Cultural Exchange Center in Hanoi, Vietnam from May 21 to 26, 2024.
The 15-year-old Cu finished the round-robin tournament with six points from five wins, two draws and two losses.
Cu, an incoming Grade 10 student of Xavier School San Juan, gained 44.4 ELO points, which will be added to his current rating of 2266 as of May 1.
Thus, Cu broke the 2300 barrier to complete his requirement for the FIDE (FM) Master title according to FIDE Handbook rules.
Officially, Cu, who is also a national master, is the country's newest FM.
“I cannot explain how happy I am. I dedicate this victory to my countrymen. It’s an honor to represent our country,” Cu said.
Among those who are supporting his chess campaign here and abroad are Xavier School, its administrators and alumni, San Juan City LGU led by city leaders Mayor Francis Zamora, VM Angelo Agcaoili, Congresswoman Bel Zamora and Coun. Herbert Chua of Addition Hills, PAGCOR, Go For Gold PH, NCFP, under the leadership of Cong. Prospero Pichay and GM Jayson Gonzales and other anonymous sponsors.
Cu defeated FM Masruri Rahman of Indonesia, IM Angelo Abundo Young of the Philippines, IM Dao Minh Nhat of Vietnam, IM Farid Firman Syah of Indonesia and CM Aashman Gupta of India.
He split the points with IM Ricardo De Guzman and FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca of the Philippines.
He lost to ACM Duong Vu Anh of Vietnam and FM Vrashank Chouhan of India.
It shall be recalled that Cu emerged as the champion in the boys secondary chess tournament of the 2024 National Capital Regional Athletic Association (NCRAA) held from April 22-25, 2024 at the Las Piñas Elementary School (Central), Conference Room in Las Piñas City.
Cu pocketed the individual gold medal for ruling the tournament which fielded over 30 woodpushers. He had a near-perfect campaign after tallying 6.5 points in the seven-round Swiss system competition.
He joined his younger brother Jericho Winston Cu to give San Juan City the team gold medal.
The siblings Cu are playing under the guidance of Xavier School San Juan coach International Arbiter Rolando "Rolly" Yutuc and International Master Jan Emmanuel "Jem" Garcia.-Marlon Bernardino-
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