Cu runner-up in Budapest chess tournament

FIDE Master Ivan Travis Cu of the Philippines posted a runner-up finish in the First Saturday IM April 2025 Chess Championship held from April 5 to 12 at Hotel Golden Park in Budapest, Hungary.

Cu scored a crucial win against Arena FIDE Master Pavan of India in the last round to wrap up his campaign with 6.5 points on account of five wins, three draws and one loss.

Li Wenxiang of China scored 7.0 points to rule the event.

After an opening round loss to the eventual champion and a draw with International Master J. Sai Agni Jeevitesh of India in the second round, Cu bounced back with victories over IM Kanan M Geidarli of India, Lut Yin Luke Lau of Hong Kong, Grandmaster Lajos Seres of Hungary and Siddharth Singh of the USA.

He then split the points with FIDE Master Levente Papp of Hungary and Woman FIDE Master Ganta Kheerthi of India in the seventh and eighth rounds before crushing Pavan in the ninth and final round.

For his feat, Cu gained an Elo rating of 29.4 points in this FIDE-rated standard chess tournament. His rating entering the tournament was 2286.

His European chess campaign was supported by Go For Gold Philippines, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).