Bangkok, Thailand ---Filipino John Paul De Guzman won via tiebreak the 2nd Bangkok Summer International Chess Open Standard Challenger section at the Royal Benja Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday, August 2,2026.
De Guzman, a Finance Outcome owner in Sandstone Technology Philippines, tied for first-second places with Michael Karl Rohland of Canada with 7.5 points in the 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment Standard time control event organized by Nick Cholapat Chongstitwattana of Big Rook Chess Academy. With the highest tiebreak points, De Guzman took the title while Rohland finished second.
"Enjoying the sweet taste of victory," said De Guzman, the pride of Iloilo City.
"All the hard work finally paid off," added De Guzman, who is best remembered winning the Singapore Challenger Section in 2024 and runner-up place in Bangkok Challenger in 2025.
Nikolay Gutsulyak of Russia, Lorenzo Aaron Cantela of the Philippines, Jerick Faeldonia of the Philippines, Carl Zirex Sato of the Philippines, Jarunpol Sajjapornthep of Thailand and James Infiesto of the Philippines finished the 9-round tournament with 7.0 points each.
John Franz De Asis, WNM Antonella Berthe Racasa, Rhoven Roi Castil, Ivan Resti Garcia, Yusof Kamaluddin of Malaysia, Giecel Pacubat, NM Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr., Jeremi Nodon of Japan and Cheyzer Crystal Mendoza have identical 6.5 points.
Adjudged category winners were Faeldonia (Top Junior), Sajjapronthep (Top Senior), Sato, Infiesto, De Asis, and Mendoza (Special award , PH Paralympic chess team), Racasa (Top Lady) and Castil (Top Unrated).
"Congratulations to the organizing committee on the fantastic job. Their hard work, great planning , and deep dedication made everything a huge success," said De Asis, an active member of Ang Dios Gugma Community (Catholic) , the pride of Amaia Scapes, San Jose Miguel, Iloilo. (Marlon Bernardino)
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