Salvador tops chess tournament in Thailand

Louie Salvador of the Philippines emerged as champion in the Rooky Mini-Open 2025 chess championship at the Forum Park Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand held last from April 4 to 7, 2025. Salvador finished the seven-round Swiss system Fide-rated competition with 6.0 points on account of five wins and two draws to clinch the title. He defeated Muhammad Wildan of Indonesia in the first round, Yuta Abe of Japan in the second round, Zhengcheng Liu of China in the third round, FIDE Master Alexander Chernyavsky of Russia in the fourth round, and Arsens Batashevs of Latvia in the fifth round. He drew with FIDE Master Arif Rahman Saragih of Indonesia in the sixth round and compatriot Remark Bartolome in the seventh and final round. Salvador and Batashevs finished the tournament tied on top with identical 6.0 points.Salvador, however, claimed the title after the tie-break was applied.Salvador, who hails from Quezon City, is currently based in Bangkok where he works as a chess teacher. He played for the San Sebastian College chess team in the NCAA under the wings of multi-titled coach National Master Homer Cunanan.