The House of Gambit

# MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PLAYERS AS ALICIA ADDS PHILIPPINE YOUTH SELECTION

The week-long celebration of chess in Alicia, Isabela is set to become even more meaningful with the addition of the Philippine Youth Selection, scheduled on September 5 and 6, 2026, at the Alicia Community Center.

The tournament will feature separate divisions for Under-7, Under-9, Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, and Under-17, giving promising young players from across the country another opportunity to compete for the privilege of representing the Philippines internationally.

Winners of the selection will qualify to represent the country in either the 2027 ASEAN Age Group Chess Championships or the Youth Tournament in Europe.

For a young chess player, wearing the Philippine colors is more than an award. It is the result of countless hours of study, practice, and quiet determination, often shared with parents, coaches, schools, and communities that continue to support the journey. This selection provides them with a clear pathway from local competition to the international stage.

The Philippine Youth Selection is an additional event to the four national tournaments already being hosted in Alicia during the Pagay Festival: the National Children’s, National Junior, National Women’s Invitational, and FIDE Classification tournaments. Its inclusion widens the reach of the celebration and opens the door to more young players across six age categories.

The initiative is made possible through the partnership of the Municipality of Alicia, Isabela and the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, with the support of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Under the leadership of Mayor Atty. Joel Amos P. Alejandro and NCFP President and Chairman Hon. Prospero A. Pichay Jr., Alicia continues to provide young Filipino players with competitions that lead to real opportunities beyond the national level.

On September 5 and 6, every game will carry more than the hope of winning a title. For the young players seated across the boards, it may be the first important move toward representing the Philippines.

📍 Alicia Community Center, Alicia, Isabela
📅 *September 5–6, 2026*
♟️ Categories: U7, U9, U11, U13, U15 and U17

Scan the QR codes on the official poster for NCFP membership and tournament registration.

₱400,000 ON THE LINE!

The 2026 Philippine National Women’s Invitational Chess Championship is officially ON!
Huge thanks to Hon. Mayor Joel Amos Alejandro and the PSC-NCFP for kicking off this epic battle in Alicia, Isabela. With a whopping ₱100,000 going to the sole Queen of the board, the stakes have never been higher!
📅 Aug 30 – Sept 4 | 📍 Alicia, Isabela

Four Regions, One Dream: PSC–NCFP National Selection Makes History

At this very moment, chess clocks are running in four different parts of the country.

From Laguna and Camarines Sur in Luzon, to Dumaguete City in the Visayas, and Agusan del Sur in Mindanao, Filipino players are competing in the ongoing PSC–NCFP Selection National Chess Championships from August 21 to 23, 2026. Although separated by distance, they share the same goal: to earn their way forward and move one step closer to representing the Philippines.

This year’s national selection marks a historic milestone for Philippine chess. For the first time, the PSC and NCFP are conducting selection tournaments simultaneously in four locations as part of a nationwide series composed of six regional legs.

More than the number of venues, what makes this program meaningful is how far it has reached. By bringing the selection process closer to different communities, players no longer have to depend solely on tournaments held in major cities. Talented competitors from distant provinces—many of whom have quietly trained for years with limited opportunities—are now being given a fair chance to compete, be recognized, and prove that they belong on the national stage.

The nationwide selection covers Laguna, Bicol, Dumaguete City, Agusan del Sur, Dipolog City, and Cebu City. Following the four simultaneous tournaments this weekend, the Dipolog leg will be held on August 29–31, while the Cebu City leg is scheduled for September 26–28.

For many participants, reaching the playing venue already represents a journey built on sacrifice. Behind each player is a family that found a way to support the trip, a coach who gave time and guidance, or a local chess community that continued to believe in their potential. When the first move is played, however, hometown, background, and reputation are set aside. Every player is measured by the same rules and by the decisions made across the 64 squares.

The tournaments are being played over eight rounds, testing not only the players’ knowledge of chess, but also their patience, discipline, composure, and ability to recover from difficult games. Those who score at least 4.5 points will advance to the semifinals, continuing their journey through the national selection process.

These championships are organized under the leadership of NCFP President/Chairman Hon. Prospero A. Pichay Jr., whose vision is to make national opportunities more accessible to deserving Filipino chess players, wherever they may come from.

The National Chess Federation of the Philippines extends its sincere gratitude to the Philippine Sports Commission, led by Chairman John Patrick C. Gregorio and Commissioner Edward L. Hayco, for supporting a program that reaches beyond the usual centers of competition. Through this partnership, the pathway toward the Philippine National Team has been brought closer to players in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

The NCFP likewise acknowledges the support of the Philippine Olympic Committee, headed by President Abraham “Bambol” N. Tolentino, for its continuing commitment to the growth of Philippine sports and the development of athletes capable of representing the country with pride.

Sincere appreciation is also extended to the host local government units and their partner organizations in Laguna, Camarines Sur, Dumaguete City, and Agusan del Sur. Their facilities, personnel, and local support have made it possible for these four tournaments to be held simultaneously and closer to the communities they are meant to serve.

Behind each successful regional leg are coordinators who have worked long before the first round began. They coordinated with local officials and venues, responded to participants’ concerns, prepared the equipment, and attended to the many details required to stage an orderly national competition.

The NCFP gratefully recognizes the valuable work of the following regional coordinators:

Laguna: NA Deogracias Bonggon Jr.
Dumaguete City: NA Antonio Martin Olendo
Agusan del Sur: FA Rockey Pagkaliwagan
Bicol: NA Ricky Besco, NA Teddy Basuel Jr., FA Tessie Relleve, NA Ancel Salting, and FA Genevieve Mendoza

Their dedication, together with the efforts of the tournament officials, local chess organizations, volunteers, coaches, and families, has helped turn this nationwide vision into a competition taking place today.

The players may be competing on different boards hundreds of kilometers apart, but they are part of one national journey. From every region, the same opportunity is being opened—and from any of these communities, the country’s next national team member may emerge.

This is the heart of the PSC–NCFP National Selection: bringing the opportunity closer, widening the pathway, and ensuring that talent—wherever it may be found—is given the chance to move forward.

GOVERNOR OAMINAL BRINGS INTERNATIONAL CHESS BACK TO MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL

Through the leadership and support of Governor Atty. Henry S. Oaminal Sr., Misamis Occidental will once again welcome the international chess community as it hosts two consecutive international tournaments in November 2026.

The Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental, as host and principal sponsor, has partnered with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines for the staging of the 7th ASEAN+ Individual Chess Championships 2026 from November 2 to 10 and the 2026 Misamis Occidental Philippines International Open Chess Championship from November 10 to 18.

Governor Oaminal and NCFP President/Chairman Prospero A. Pichay Jr. formally sealed the partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement.

Both tournaments will be held at the “Maldives of Mindanao,” AMORAP in Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental, Philippines. Apart from competing in two major tournaments, players and guests will have the opportunity to experience the hospitality and natural beauty of the province.

The 7th ASEAN+ Individual Chess Championships will feature the Open, Women, and Challenger divisions, together with the ASEAN+ Age Group categories for Under-12, Under-14, and Under-16 Boys and Girls.

It will be followed immediately by the Misamis Occidental Philippines International Open Chess Championship, allowing players to compete in two international events in a single trip.

For Filipino players who dream of becoming Grandmasters, tournaments of this level are especially important. Earning the game’s highest titles requires more than talent and years of training. Players must also compete against qualified international opponents, raise their FIDE ratings, and secure the required norms or direct titles under FIDE regulations.

These opportunities are not always easy to find in the Philippines. Many players must travel abroad several times, often at considerable cost, simply to compete in tournaments that offer the proper conditions for titles and norms.

By hosting two international events consecutively, Misamis Occidental gives Filipino players two valuable opportunities to improve their ratings, pursue direct titles and norms, and move closer to their dream of earning the Grandmaster title—all without having to leave the country.

For Philippine chess, Governor Oaminal’s support therefore carries practical and lasting value. It brings international competition closer to Filipino players, including young athletes whose families may not have the resources to regularly finance tournaments overseas.

This is not the first time Misamis Occidental has extended this opportunity to Filipino players.

Under Governor Oaminal’s leadership, the province successfully hosted the 6th ASEAN+ Individual Chess Championships from November 2 to 10, 2025. The tournament brought together Grandmasters, International Masters, other titled players, and rising competitors from different countries.

More importantly, the tournament produced meaningful results for Philippine chess.

IM Mark Jay Bacojo finished third in the Open Division and earned the direct International Master title, while WIM Ruelle Canino placed second in the Women’s Division, earning the direct Woman International Master title and a Woman Grandmaster norm.

Their achievements showed what becomes possible when Filipino players are given access to strong international competition at home. For some, one successful tournament can mean a higher rating, a long-awaited norm, or a direct title. For others, it can be an important step toward the Grandmaster title they have worked for over many years.

The two international events will also form part of the celebration of the 97th Provincial Founding Anniversary of Misamis Occidental. The province traces its founding to November 2, 1929, making the opening of the ASEAN+ championship especially meaningful for the host province.

Present during the MOA signing were Atty. Neri J. Colmenares, Deputy President; NM/Engr. Rey C. Urbiztondo, Chairman of the Titles and Ratings Committee; GM Jayson O. Gonzales, NCFP Chief Executive Officer; Atty. Nikki De Vega, NCFP Legal Adviser; and Mr. Jeremy Randell S. Go, Chairman of the Promotions and Incentives Committee.

On behalf of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, President/Chairman Prospero A. Pichay Jr. and the NCFP Board of Directors extend their sincere gratitude to Governor Atty. Henry S. Oaminal Sr. and the Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental for their continued trust in and generous support for Philippine chess.

Last year, Governor Oaminal and the province gave Filipino players an important international stage. This year, that opportunity grows into two consecutive tournaments—offering more chances to earn ratings, norms, and titles, and helping more Filipino players move closer to their Grandmaster dreams.

🥈 SILVER FOR NM MAR AVIEL CARREDO! 🇵🇭
A proud podium finish as NM Mar Aviel Carredo-the 2025 Palarong Pambansa multi gold medalist, captures the Silver Medal in the Open U16 at the 24th ASEAN+ Age-Group Standard Chess Championship in Singapore! 🇸🇬

What a performance! As a result of Carredo’s outstanding performance, he has outright earned the FIDE Candidate Master (CM) title. 🏅
Congratulations‼️


📸NCFP