Filipino International Master Paulo Bersamina places solo runner-up in the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club Open in Thailand
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 22 Apr 2025
Filipino International Master Paulo Bersamina kept his unbeaten streak with a win over Grandmaster Vitaliy Bernardskiy of Ukraine in 67 moves of the Sicilian Defense, Najdorf variation, in the 9th and final round at the conclusion of the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club Open 2025 at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday, April 21, 2025.
He tallied 7.5 points, half a point behind the champion, Grandmaster Evgeny Romanov of North Macedonia. Romanov bested FIDE Master Ern Jie Anderson Ang of Malaysia in 38 moves of the Catalan Opening.
International Master Michael Concio Jr. finished in a shared 3rd place following a draw with Grandmaster Babu M. R. Lalith of India in 43 moves of the Queen's Pawn Game in the final round, with 7.0 points. Concio settled in 5th overall after the tie-break points were applied. Concio is the top player of the famous Dasmariñas Chess Academy, headed by Mayor Jenny Barzaga and Coach FIDE Master Roel Abelgas.
FIDE Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca wound up in a share of 16th place after losing to Grandmaster Nigel Short of England, who played the Caro-Kann Defense with white pieces.
Despite the loss, Arca still secured his 3rd IM norm in the tournament and won the top Junior award.
"Masayang-masaya po ako sa pagkapanalo ko bilang runner-up dito sa Bangkok Chess Club Open 2025," said Bersamina from Pasay City, who also won the Makruk or Thai chess tournament here.
"Mahirap yung game pero okay na din na draw," said Concio.
"Maraming salamat po kina Mayor Jenny Barzaga and Coach FM Roel Abelgas sa pagsuporta sa akin sa Bangkok," he added.
"Gusto ko manalo sa last game ko po kay Grandmaster Nigel Short para sa 1st GM norm. Pero masaya na din ako nakuha ko na po 3rd at final IM norm pero need mag-2400 ang ELO rating ko po para sa full-pledged IM title," said Arca, who needed to raise his 2330 live rating to 2400 to complete his IM title status.
Meanwhile, John Paul de Guzman, a 38-year-old Finance Manager at Sandstone Technology Philippines, made the country proud anew at the conclusion of the Challenger section of the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club Open 2025. The pride of Iloilo City finished in a tie for first place. He ended up in 2nd place overall after the tie-break was applied.
Khlaid Shafwan Azzamy of Indonesia took the title, while Tran Nguyen Dang Khoa of Vietnam wound up third. The trio of Azzamy, De Guzman, and Tran tallied 7.5 points each.
"Sayang natalo sa tie-break points para sa title. Hope next time mag-champion na po," said De Guzman, who was also tied for first in the Challenger section of the Singapore International Open last December.
Other Filipinos who performed well in the Challenger section, which attracted 100 participants, are WNM Arvie Lozano (5th), John Curt Valencia (9th), John Lance Valencia (10th), NM Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. (11th), and James Henry Calacday (Top Junior).
-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
By Eric Armit, Tue, 10 Feb 2026Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 10 Feb 2026Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 10 Feb 2026Shark attack in Florida Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Making waves on Feb. 19
Tue, 10 Feb 202619-1 Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga returns on February 21 to Atlantic City
Tue, 10 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Women's Team and Squad Rosters Announced
Tue, 10 Feb 2026Filipino child prodigy Asher Judd Sy tops the 3rd King’s College Bangkok Chess Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 10 Feb 2026Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 08 Feb 2026Gabriel Santisima Stuns Unbeaten World Ranked and WBO Asia Pacific Champion Subaru Murata to Capture WBO Asia Pacific Title at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Sun, 08 Feb 2026Lucky "Batang Quiapo" Salvador defeats Rhaky "Roj" Constantino
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 08 Feb 2026Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa: Scrappy Styles Matchup in Liverpool
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 07 Feb 2026Undefeated Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Returns to the Ring February 6 in Guadalajara
Fri, 06 Feb 2026Esquillo, Arpilleda to compete at Lunar Horse Battle Royal 10-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 06 Feb 2026WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR MEDINA VS. CURIEL IN MEXICO, PLUS MAIN EVENT QUOTES
Fri, 06 Feb 2026Rene Tellez Giron & Luis Torres Battle for Mexican Pride in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
Fri, 06 Feb 2026