FILIPINO Fide master (FM) Christian Gian Karlo Arca secured his third and final international master (IM) norm at the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club Open 2025 at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, emerging as the tournament’s top junior despite a final-round loss to Grandmaster (GM) Nigel Short of England.
The 16-year-old Panabo City native Arca, who played black in a Caro-Kann Defense, wrapped up the tournament with a share of 16th place. Although he fell short of securing his first GM norm, he expressed satisfaction with earning his final IM norm, bringing him a step closer to officially becoming an International Master. He has to raise his ELO rating from 2330 to 2400 to complete the title.
“Gusto ko sanang manalo sa last game ko kay GM Nigel Short para sa first GM norm, pero masaya pa rin ako na nakuha ko ang third at final IM norm (I was hoping to win my last game against GM Nigel Short for my first GM norm, but I’m still happy that I achieved my third and final IM norm),” Arca said.
Meanwhile, Filipino International Master (IM) Paulo Bersamina delivered a strong performance to finish as a solo runner-up in the prestigious tournament held at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. He defeated GM Vitaliy Bernadskiy of Ukraine in 67 moves using the Sicilian Defense (Najdorf variation) in the ninth and final round to finish with 7.5 points.
Bersamina ended just half a point behind the eventual champion, GM Evgeny Romanov of North Macedonia, who topped the standings with 8.0 points after beating FM Ern Jie Anderson Ang of Malaysia in 38 moves of the Catalan Opening.
“Masayang-masaya po ako sa pagkapanalo ko bilang runner-up dito sa Bangkok Chess Club Open 2025 (I’m very happy with my runner-up finish here at the Bangkok Chess Club Open 2025),” said Bersamina, a proud native of Pasay City, who also recently won the Makruk (Thai chess) tournament in Thailand.
Another Filipino standout, IM Michael Concio Jr., shared third place with 7.0 points after a final-round draw against GM Babu MR Lalit of India in 43 moves using the Queen’s Pawn Game. Based on tiebreaks, Concio officially placed fifth overall. He is the top player of the Dasmariñas Chess Academy, supported by Mayor Jenny Barzaga and Coach FM Roel Abelgas.
“Mahirap yung game pero okay na rin ang draw (The game was tough, but a draw is still okay),” Concio said, expressing gratitude to his supporters.
In the Challenger section, Filipino finance manager John Paul de Guzman, 38, from Sandstone Technology Philippines, again made the country proud by finishing in a tie for first place. After tiebreaks were applied, he placed second overall. He shared the top spot with Khalid Shafwan Azzamy of Indonesia (champion) and Tran Nguyen Dang Khoa of Vietnam (third), scoring 7.5 points.
Other notable Filipino performances in the Challenger division (which attracted 100 players) include: WNM Arvie Lozano (fifth place), John Curt Valencia (ninth), John Lance Valencia (10th), NM Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. (11th), and James Henry Calacday (top junior awardee). MLSA with Marlon Bernardino
