By MARK REY MONTEJO
Rising star Ivan Travis Cu exhibited his brilliance once again after finishing second in the 2024 Hanoi IM Chess Tournament in Vietnam last weekend.
Cu, 15, amassed 6.0 points, half-a-point behind IM Farid Firman Syah of Indonesia in the week-long event that gathered some of the finest players in the region.
Two other PH bets in IM Ricardo De Guzman (4.5) and FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca wound up 5th and 7th place, respectively.
Cu listed five wins along with two draws and two losses, gaining 44.4 ELO points which were enough to surpass the 2300 points – required for the FIDE Master (FM) title according to FIDE rules.
The Xavier School ace, who already claimed the national master honor, expressed delight for his performance on the international stage.
“I cannot explain how happy I am. I dedicate this victory to my countrymen. It’s an honor to represent our country,” Cu said.
Among Cu’s victims were FM Masruri Rahman (IND), IM Angelo Abundo Young (PHI), IM Dao Minh Nhat (VIE), IM Syah (IND), and CM Aashman Gupta (IND).
He split the points against fellow Filipinos IM De Guzman and FM Arca.
Cu, however, lost to ACM Duonh Vu Anh (VIE) and FM Vrashank Chouhan (IND).
