Brandon Kier Sustento, whose Filipino roots can be traced in Bacoor, Cavite, reigned supreme in the Susan Polgar Charity Blitz Chess Tournament held Houston, Texas, USA on Sunday.
The 15-year-old Sustento, a grade 10 student of Harmony School of Innovation in Houston, finished the tournament with a perfect 5.0 points to take home the coveted title.
"It was an intense tournament. I am happy to win the 5-minute blitz chess tournament," said Sustento, who started playing major chess tournaments in 2021 and has already earned the title of US Candidate Master.
He recently placed runner-up behind eventual champion International Master Anish Vivekanathan in the South Texas FIDE Open Standard chess tournament held at Texas Chess Center on Feb. 27, 2026.
Sustento comes from a strong chess background. His father, FIDE Instructor Byjorn Sustento, is the founder of Houston Chess School and a friend of William So, father of Grandmaster Wesley So. The family used to host a young Wesley So at their home.
Aside from his father, Sustento is also being mentored by FIDE Master Noel Dela Cruz.
Sustento, who also loves to play soccer, is scheduled to compete in the Houston FIDE Championship on May 1-2, 2026.