VIENTIANNE, Laos– Filipino and United States Chess Master Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr., a veteran sportswriter and radio commentator, achieved another remarkable victory by winning clear first place in the just concluded 3rd Laos International Chess Open 2024 held at the 2nd floor Parkson@ Naga Mall in Vientiane, Laos from September 1 to 6.
Under the guidance of 1996 RP Junior Champion Coach FM Robert Suelo Jr. and with the full support of Mers Lodronio Suelo and ALC Group of Companies Chairman and CEO D. Edgard Cabangon, demonstrated his exceptional skills on the global stage.
The former top player of Rizal Technological University (RTU) Barangay Malamig, Mandaluyong City chess team in the mid 90’s, dominated the FIDE Standard Tournament by securing 5 wins and 4 draws to raise his total 7 points in the 9-round competition.
His stellar performance not only earned him first place but also contributed significantly to the PH chess team.
“First of all, thanks to the Almighty, I dedicate my victory to my country! I would like to express my gratitude to my coach 1996 RP Junior Champion FM Robert Suelo Jr., to her wife Mers Lodronio Suelo and to ALC Group of Companies Chairman and CEO D. Edgard Cabangon for their full support in my International chess campaign,” said Bernardino, the pride of Quezon City and Mandaluyong City, who is also an online Arena Grandmaster.
NM Bernardino defeated Feng Wenzhe of China, Vilaphen Phaktong of Laos, Franchesca Largo of the Philippines and Bui Ngoc Phuong Nghi of Vietnam in the first and fourth rounds, respectively.
He snapped his four-match winning streak when he had a draw against Mark Gabriel Usman and Jemaica Yap Mendoza of the Philippines, Win Tun Htwe of Myanmar, Nguyen Le Minh Uyen of Vietnam, in order. He beat Arena FIDE Master Seo Juwon of South Korea in the last round to secure the win.
NM Bernardino is fresh from winning the 2nd edition of the IIEE-Bayanihan-Greenfield District Blitz chess tournament last August 9 at the Pavilion Mall, Greenfield District in Mandaluyong City.
It shall be recalled that NM Bernardino won the 2005 Arlington, Virginia USA Open Rapid Chess Championship. Bernardino got his National Master title when he finished overall 7th during the 1998 SSS Asian Zonal Elimination round and was held at the SSS headquarters in East Avenue, Quezon City. The same year, Bernardino earned his United States chess master title in the National Chess Congress and was held at the Adams Mark Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Bernardino is set to compete in the Singapore International Open from Nov. 29 to Dec. 5 at the Resort’s World Sentosa Convention Center in Singapore and the 16th Penang Heritage City International Chess Open on December 23-27 in Penang, Malaysia.
