by Marlon Bernardino
Final Standings: (Challengers section, nine-round Swiss system tournament)
7.5 points---Michael Ocido (Philippines)
7.0 points---FM Vuong Trung Hieu (Vietnam), Recarte Tiauson (Philippines), FM Nelson Villanueva (Philippines), Nguyen Huynh Tuan Hai (Vietnam), WCM Kylen Joy Mordido (Philippines)

MANILA, Philippines---Michael Ocido of Victorias City,Negros Occidental dominated the 8th HDBank Cup International Open Chess 2018 was held at the Army Hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam last Thursday, March 15, 2018.

Ocido collected 7.5 points on six wins and three draws to win the nine-round Challengers section tournament. Aside from elegant trophy, Ocido bagged the $1,200 top prize.

Five players tallied 7.0 points and got $500 each for their efforts and after the tie break points was applied, Fide Master Vuong Trung Hieu of Vietnam placed second, Recarte Tiauson of Talisay City,Negros Occidental placed third, Fide Master Nelson Villanueva of La Carlota City, Negros Occidental placed fourth, Nguyen Huynh Tuan Hai of Vietnam placed fifth and Woman Candidate Master Kylen Joy Mordido of Dasmariñas, Cavite placed sixth and grabbed the top lady award.

Philippine chess team received the visit of Philippine's Ambassador-to-Vietnam Noel Servigon during the closing rites according to team spokesman Recarte Tiauson of Talisay City,Negros Occidental whose local and international tournament backed up by Senator Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao and RingCentral Director Joey Lianko.

"We would like to thank Philippine's Ambassador-to-Vietnam Noel Servigon who gave us moral support here in Hanoi, Vietnam," said Tiauson, a Technical Support Representative of RingCentral in Mandaluyong City.

Meanwhile, Grandmaster Sandro Mareco of Argentina took the Open division title with 7.5 points.

Grandmaster elect Haridas Pascua of Mangatarem, Pangasinan placed 23rd overall with 5.5 points. He needed to raised his 2440 standard FIDE rating to 2500 to complete his GM title status.

Other Filipino players seeing in action in Hanoi, Vietnam chess were International Master Oliver Dimakiling of Davao City, Fide Master Alekhine Nouri of Quezon City, Fide Master Roel Abelgas and Fide Masters elect Daniel Quizon, Michael Concio Jr. and Jerlyn Mae San Diego of Dasmariñas, Cavite, National Master Emmanuel Emperado of Paranaque and Sheen Rose Agapito of Milaor, Camarines Sur.

The Filipinos campaign in Hanoi, Vietnam would be possible with the undying support of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by Chairman/President Rep. Prospero "Butch" A. Pichay Jr., Secretary-General Rep. Abraham "Bambol" N. Tolentino Jr. and treasurer Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Dasmariñas, Cavite mayor Elpidio "Pidy" Barzaga Jr. and congresswoman Jenny Barzaga, Senator Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao and RingCentral Director Joey Lianko.-Marlon Bernardino-