Philippines, 07 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:

  • Undefeated Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Returns to the Ring February 6 in Guadalajara
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Esquillo, Arpilleda to compete at Lunar Horse Battle Royal 10-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR MEDINA VS. CURIEL IN MEXICO, PLUS MAIN EVENT QUOTES
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Rene Tellez Giron & Luis Torres Battle for Mexican Pride in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • “Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • “I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
    , Tue, 03 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.