Filipino NM Silva tops First Thammasat University Rapid Chess in Thailand
FILIPINO National Master (NM) Winston Joseph Silva scored 1.5 points in the last two rounds to emerge overall champion in the First Thammasat University Rapid Chess Championships held at the Thammasat University Library on Feb. 2 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Tagum City, Davao del Norte, native Silva halved the point with Fide Master Yaaqov Vaingorten of Canada in the fifth and penultimate round then beat countryman Necodemus Dimayuga of the Philippines in the sixth to finish with 5.5 points in the six-round tournament.
The former University of Sto. Tomas top chess player Silva who is also the operations and marketing coordinator at Jirapak Chess Academy in Thailand earlier beat Nuttapong Chantraraprathin of Thailand in the first round, Siam Pern of Thailand in the second round, National Master Ric Portugalera of the Philippines in the third round and Phanuwat Taowalof Thailand in the fourth round, respectively.
“Thank you Jesus for my first ever open chess title in Thailand.” said Mr. Silva, a part of the elite roster of World Chess Federation (FIDE) instructors and a former curriculum director at Big Rook Chess Academy in Bangkok.
Tinnakrit Arunnuntapanich of Thailand, Fide Master Deniel Causo of the Philippines, Fide Master Yaaqov Vaingorten of Canada and Fide Master Thanadon Kulpruethanon of Thailand shared second to fifth places with 5.0 points.
(Six Round Swiss System, 15 minutes plus 10 seconds increment)
5.5 points — NM Winston Joseph Silva (Philippines)
5.0 points — Tinnakrit Arunnuntapanich (Thailand), FM Deniel Causo (Philippines), FM Yaaqov Vaingorten (Canada), FM Thanadon Kulpruethanon (Thailand)
4.5 points — Thoetsak Wongsawan (Thailand), Prin Laohawirapap (Thailand)
4.0 points — Necodemus Dimayuga (Philippines), Kavin Nattavutthisit (Thailand), Ronald Nonles (Philippines), WNM Arvie Lozano (Philippines), Apichit Buakird (Thailand), NM Ric Portugalera (Philippines), Pinatpong Pheephacharakan (Thailand), Jarunpol Sajjapornthep (Thailand). —