National Master Lorenzo Aaron Cantela brought honor to the country last Sunday when he ruled the 21st Bangkok Chess Club Challenger at the Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa in Thailand.

He finished with 7.5 points in the nine-round Swiss System event, posting victories over Briton Terence Legge (1st Round), Filipino Kate Nicole Ordizo (2nd), Indian Vaisnav A (3rd), Filipino April Joy Claros (5th), Indian Vaibhav A (6th), and Filipinos Lemmuel Jay Adena (7th) and Ritchie James Abeleda (8th).

Cantela lost to Chinese Xu Chang (4th) and split the points with Filipino Mary Joy Tan (9th).

“I’m very, very happy. Winning the tournament is a big boost to my confidence,” said the 20-year-old member of the multi-titled Far Eastern University (FEU) varsity chess team.

Among Cantela’s supporters are FEU chair Aurelio “Gigi” Montinola, president Juan Miguel Montinola, Manila athletic director Mark Molina, FEU-Diliman executive director Dr. Armi Cunanan-Yabut, Atty. Jesseboy Remulla Grepo and sportsman Luis Chavit Singson.

FEU has produced Grandmasters Jayson Gonzales, Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor, Woman GM Janelle Mae Frayna and WNM Reulle Canino.

The 16-year-old Canino topped the “Battle of the Women Masters’ tournament” in March at the expense of Woman International Master Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Frayna.

“This is part of the advocacy that FEU and I are trying to do — produce future champions,” said Gonzales, who coaches the men’s and women’s teams.

Meanwhile, GM Vitaliy Bernadskiy of Ukraine dominated the BCC Open.

GM Guha Mitrabha of India was second while GM Denis Makhnev of Kazakhstan placed third.

Others in the Top 10 are IM L.R. Srihari and GM Sayantan Das of India, IM James Morris of Australia, FM Reja Neer Manon of Bangladesh, IM Arystanbek Urazayev of Kazakhstan, GM Zhao Zong-Yuan of Australia and GM M. Pranesh of India. (PNA)