BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Malaysian chess player Jude King secured third place in the open category of the His Majesty Sultan's 80th Birthday Chess Festival 2026, which concluded on Sunday.
Candidate Master Awangku Hafidzon bin Pengiran Haji Mohd Omar of Brunei won the open title, while Dacpano Candelario of the Philippines finished runner-up.
Held as part of celebrations marking the 80th birthday of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the tournament attracted about 100 players of all ages.
Competitors contested 13 rounds across multiple categories, including the Open, Junior Under-18, Under-16, Under-14 and Under-12, Senior 50 and above, Senior 65 and above, Best Lady and Best Schools divisions.
Brunei-Muara District Officer Pengiran Muhammad Ameer Mubaarak bin Pengiran Haji Hashim presented prizes to the winners.
Also present were Brunei Chess Federation Vice-President Pengiran Abdul Rahman bin Pengiran Lela Wijaya Pengiran Haji Yussof, who also served as co-chairman of the organising committee, and other officials.
