Manila---Brandon Kier Sustento, whose roots can be traced in Bacoor, Cavite stamped his class again by topping the 2026 Texas State Quick Chess State Championship held at the Houston Chess Studio-Poison Pawn Chess Club in Houston Texas on Sunday, Manila Time (Saturday night in USA time).
The 15-year-old Brandon Kier, a grade 10 student of Harmony School of Innovation in Houston, finished the tournament with 7.5 points on account of seven wins, one draw and one loss in nine outings to take home the coveted title in this event which attracted 42 chess players.
Among his crucial wins against notable chess masters were Arsal Gardezi, Andy Wang, and Anthony Parker.
"I knew that this was a tough tournament. I just tried to play my best and now I am really happy," said Brandon Kier, who started playing major chess tournaments in 2021 and has already earned the title of US Candidate Master.
His family migrated to Houston in 2015.
He recently won the Susan Polgar Charity Blitz Chess Tournament in Houston, Texas last March 29, 2026 and placed runner-up behind eventual champion International Master Anish Vivekanathan in the South Texas FIDE Open Standard chess tournament held at Texas Chess Center in Feb. 27, 2026.
Brandon Kier, who also loves to play soccer, is scheduled to compete in the Houston FIDE Championship on May 1-2, 2026.
He is in a rigid training with his father, FIDE Instructor Byjorn Sustento and FIDE Master Noel Dela Cruz. - Marlon Bernardino -
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