By Jean Malanum

PROMISING YOUTH. Brandon Kier Sustento (2nd from right) wins the Susan Polgar Charity Blitz Chess Tournament in Houston, Texas on Sunday (March 29, 2026). Also in the photo (from left) are Brandon’s father Byjorn, FIDE Instructor Byjorn Sustento, Susan Polgar and Sugar Land Mayor Carol McCutcheon. (Contributed photo)

MANILA – Filipino Brandon Kier Sustento ruled the Susan Polgar Charity Blitz Chess Tournament at the Houston BMW office in Texas on Sunday.

The Grade 10 student at Harmony School of Innovation had a perfect score of 5.0 points.

“It was an intense match. I am happy to win the 5-minute blitz competition,” the 15-year-old Sustento, who was born in Bacoor, Cavite, said. His family migrated to Houston in 2015.

Sustento, who became a US Candidate Master in 2021, placed second to International Master Anish Vivekananthan at the South Texas FIDE Open Standard chess tournament last Feb. 27.

He will compete in the Houston FIDE Championship scheduled on May 1 to 3.

Brandon Kier, mentored by FM Noel Dela Cruz, is the son of FIDE Instructor Byjorn Sustento, who founded the Houston Chess School. (PNA)