by Marlon Bernardino
Final Standings: (Nine Round Swiss System)
8.0 points---FM Nelson Villanueva (Philippines)
7.5 points---Wising Abdul Sahim (Malaysia), Andin Faizal (Malaysia),
7.0 points---Hadani Abthar (Malaysia), Ermando Mohd Aizan (Malaysia), A.B Muhd Yusop (Malaysia), Abu Bakar Abdul Wahab (Malaysia), Najarin Nazir (Malaysia),

FILIPINO FIDE Master (FM) Nelson Villanueva continued his winning streak in Malaysia as he emerged the overall champion in the SMK Kota Marudu Chess Open International Rapid 2018 held on Sunday (April 1, 2018) in Kota Marudo, Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia.

The La Carlota City, Negros Occidental Villanueva got eight points in in nine games of play with eight wins and one loses. He received RM (Malaysian Ringgit) 1,000 champions' purse plus trophy for his effort.

“In behalf of NCFP and PECA we congratulate FM (Nelson) Villanueva for giving the Philippines another championships' trophy in Malaysian chess circuit." said Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA) founding president Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe, Treasurer of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by Chairman/President Rep. Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. and Secretary-General Rep. Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr.

The former Rizal Technological University (RTU) Mandaluyong City standout Villanueva scored victories over Diris Mercy lexy of Malaysia in the first round, Abdul Rasad Mohammad Paijal of Malaysia in the second round, Etong Abdullah of Malaysia in the third round, Abu Bakar Abdul Wahab of Malaysia in the fourth round, Goridau Guadisof Malaysia in the fifth round, Hadani Abthar of Malaysia in the sixth round, Wising Abdul Sahim of Malaysia in the seventh round but was yielded to Andin Faizal of Malaysia in the eight round but beat Al Murishi Muhd Saifullah of Malaysia in the ninth and final round.

"God is so gracious for the third time," said Villanueva, a frequent visitor of the International Churches of Christ (ICOC) in Singapore.

Villanueva has four chess titles which he won from Feb 24 to April 1.

Villanueva emerged the overall champion in the KLK Batu Gajah (Open) 2018 International Chess Championship last March 4, 2018 in Batu Gajah, Perak, Malaysia. He received RM (Malaysian Ringgit) 500 champions' purse plus trophy.

He won the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly International Chess Competition 2018 in Sarawak, Malaysia last March 3, 2018. Villanueva went home top prize RM (Malaysian Ringgit) 2,000 for winning the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly International Chess Competition 2018.

He also topped the rapid event of the Mesamall Chinese New Year Open chess tournament last February 24, 2018 held in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia to claim the top prize RM (Malaysian Ringgit) 500.-Marlon Bernardino-