Bangkok, Thailand --- PH youthful Jerick Concepcion Faeldonia continued his winning momentum in Round 7 of the 2nd Bangkok Summer International Standard Challenger Chess Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, with a hard-fought victory over Satyam Prakash of India held at the Royal Benja Hotel on Friday, July 31, 2026.
Playing the black pieces, Faeldonia defended with the Sicilian Defense in a tense and strategic battle. Prakash held a slight positional advantage for much of the game, but as the nearly four-hour marathon progressed, time pressure began to take its toll. The Indian player eventually committed a crucial mistake, allowing Faeldonia to seize the initiative and convert the advantage into a winning position.
After 65 grueling moves, Prakash was left with no choice but to resign, giving Faeldonia his sixth victory of the tournament.
With the win, Faeldonia now boasts an impressive record of 6 wins and 1 loss, moving into a tie for 2nd to 4th place with Nikolay Gutsulyak of Russia and Jarunpol Sajjapronthep of Thailand after seven rounds and remaining in strong contention for the championship.
In Round 8, Faeldonia will face another undefeated Filipino campaigner, John Paul De Guzman, in what promises to be one of the tournament's most exciting and crucial pairings.
De Guzman, the pride of Iloilo City, remains on top with 6.5 points.
"It was an intense match," said the 16-year-old Odiongan chess wizard, a Grade 11 student of Arellano University.
"I hope to win my last 2 remaining matches to secure the coveted title here in Bangkok," added Faeldonia, a certified online Arena International Master, who brought down countryman Giecel Pacubat in Round 6.
"Good luck and God bless you, Bunso (Jerick). Keep believing, keep fighting, and keep making Romblon and the Philippines proud," said his very supportive father, Engr. Ernie Fetisan Faeldonia.
National Master Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. split the points with compatriot John Franz De Asis.
Bernardino and De Asis led the huge group of 5.5-pointers that included Lorenzo Aaron Cantela, Carl Zirex Sato, Charly Yamson, and Michael Culasing of the Philippines, Michael Karl Rohland of Canada, and Tanatch Homsetnan of Thailand.
The Iloilo City bet De Asis inflicted the only loss on Faeldonia in Round 5.
The Filipino campaign in Thailand is being supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines Chairman/President Cong. Prospero Pichay Jr., Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, PEZA Director General Telo Panga, Gov. Trina Firmalo-Fabic, Gov. Chavit Singson, Mayor Jon Jon Ferrer, Mayor Alex Advincula, Mayor Menchie Abalos, Vice Mayor Jonas Labuguen, Vice Mayor Anthony Suva, Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, Cong. Ony Ferrer, Cong. Kiko Barzaga, Barangay Chairman Christopher Cheng, and International Billiards and Snooker Champion Marlon Manalo. (Marlon Bernardino)
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