Bryan Loayza Rivera Crowned Champion at the 58th Annual Liberty Bell Open in Philadelphia
Perth Amboy’s Young Chess Star Shines in National Tournament
Philadelphia, PA — Perth Amboy resident and 6th grader Bryan Loayza Rivera emerged as one of the champions in the prestigious 58th Annual Liberty Bell Open, held January 16–19, 2026, at the Sonesta Hotel in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The celebrated heritage chess event featured a competitive 7-round Swiss format and attracted strong players from across the region.
Over the course of the weekend, Bryan delivered an impressive performance by winning six out of seven games, finishing at the top of the standings with a shared first-place finish alongside MIT student and strong competitor Ekeoma Osondu. His results included victories over Gene L. Millard (rating 1709), Lamont Rogers (1751), Vanita Young (1754), and Victor Antonio Olveira Sanchez, with his sole loss coming to Kelvin McAlister (1743). Bryan’s performance earned him well-deserved prize money and a new USCF rating of 1900, a milestone achievement for a player his age.
To hear firsthand about Bryan’s experience at the Liberty Bell Open, the library staff asked him a few questions. Here’s what he shared:
Q: Congratulations on winning the 58th Annual Liberty Bell Open! How does it feel to be named champion?
A: I feel good and happy because I won. It was a hard tournament, but I felt prepared at the same time.
Q: You played seven rounds and won six—what was going through your mind as the tournament progressed?
A: I wanted to make it to the end. I kept saying to myself I need to win the next 5 rounds.
Q: Was there a particular match that felt especially challenging or memorable for you?
A: Playing against talented adults for 3 to 4 hours is hard and tiring. After a few hours it’s hard to stay focused, but I did... When I lost in the 2nd round, I was still enthusiastic about playing in the tournament, but I needed time to review the game from the previous round to see what I could do better.
Q: How did you prepare for this tournament leading up to the weekend?
A: I practice a lot on Chess.com and review the errors I make in my games. I often practice chess about 20-25 hours a week.
Q: What strategies or habits help you stay focused during long chess tournaments?
A: I try to stay relaxed and think about my best chess plays. I can’t think of anything else while I’m in the game because I have to remain focused.
Q: You tied for first place with Ekeoma Osondu, a college student at MIT—what does it mean to share the top spot with such a strong competitor?
A: I learned that when Ekeoma was a kid like me, he also had a coach. He’s been playing for a long time and that’s why he’s really good... Sharing the #1 spot with him made me feel good and proud of what I achieved.
Q: What did you learn from playing against opponents at different stages in their chess journey?
A: I should try to learn more from other players' techniques. I really like how Ekeoma plays. He has a good strategy to play chess.
Q: As a 6th grader, how do you balance school, chess practice, and personal time?
A: I stay organized and manage my school and homework time. I also try to learn new things in my personal time.
Q: When did you first start playing chess, and what made you fall in love with the game?
A: I learned to play at 8 years old. It was so much fun. I wanted to play all of the time.
Q: Who has supported you most in your chess journey so far?
A: My mother. She goes to every tournament and every match I participate in.
Q: What does it mean to you to represent Perth Amboy on such a big stage?
A: It makes me very proud. I want to keep representing our community.
Q: How do you hope your win might inspire other young people in your community?
A: I hope to inspire youth my age to play chess and succeed in whatever they love.
Q: What message would you give to students your age who are interested in chess or competitive activities?
A: You need talent to become a great player. It takes persistence... Don’t let failures keep you from pushing forward.
Q: What are your goals moving forward in chess?
A: I want to be a grandmaster someday.
Q: Are there any upcoming tournaments you’re excited about?
A: I want to participate in the Pan-America tournament in El Salvador this year.
Q: How will you celebrate this big win?
A: I want to celebrate with the Perth Amboy Library staff. You guys are awesome, thank you for supporting me.
The Perth Amboy Library is extremely proud of Bryan’s outstanding achievement and recognizes his dedication, poise, and passion for chess. We are confident that Bryan will continue to grow as a remarkable player and future chess master.
This milestone would not have been possible without the generous support of the Friends of the Perth Amboy Library, a heartfelt thank you for making opportunities like this a reality.
For more information, event results, or to support Bryan’s future endeavors, please contact the Perth Amboy Library.
