Philippines, 21 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Filipino International Master Paulo Bersamina places solo runner-up in the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club Open in Thailand


PhilBoxing.com


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:

  • WOOD-WARRINGTON II OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR SOLD-OUT REMATCH IN NOTTINGHAM
    , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • "Rompete la Madre" documentary is now in the Mexican theaters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • A Massive Weekend Ahead for Renowned Trainer Bob Santos
    , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • Barrios vs Garcia: Where Art Thou Ryan Garcia?
    By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Pacman bout details revealed
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • IIEE to defend Billiard crown in PTC World 2026, World Champ Magpantay is PSA Awardee
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Wood-Warrington II Press Conference Quotes: Everything that Was Said Ahead of Saturday's Sold-Out Rematch in Nottingham
    , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Opponents for Rising Stars Jimuel Pacquiao Jr. and Curmel Moton on Feb. 28 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
    , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Rising Star Promotions Returns to Prudential Center April 10 LIVE ON PROBOX TV
    , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Sante Barley Trilogy Leg 1 on March 29 in Azuela
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Team Rapid chess tourney goes to Pasay City on March 8 By Marlon Bernardino
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • 3rd Horse Show & competition scheduled on February 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • Robinsons Bacolod Chess Festival set
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Alex Bray Set for WBA Continental Latin American Title Clash February 20 in Orlando
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Calls out Jai Opetaia
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • BREAKING NEWS: DAZN AND MATCHROOM BOXING SIGN NEW FIVE-YEAR DEAL
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • 75 climbers start trekking to Mt. Apo today
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Dainier Pero Locked In Ahead of WBA Continental USA Title Defense in Orlando
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • A Milestone Birthday: Celebrating Brico Santig's 50 Years of Dedication, and Triumph
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • PH bet Chezka Centeno finishes 2nd in Florida
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.