17/01/2026
♟️ PSC–NCFP Barangay Chess Program 🇵đź‡
Chess for Every Filipino
The PSC–NCFP Barangay Chess Program is built on a simple but powerful belief: chess should reach every Filipino, in every barangay.
This is more than a tournament—it is a grassroots movement to bring chess closer to our communities. To the barangays where young minds are eager to learn, where hidden talents are waiting to be discovered, and where a single opportunity can change a life. By offering free registration, free NCFP membership, and a FIDE ID to all participants, the program removes barriers and opens doors for everyone.
Starting March 7, 2026 onwards, the Barangay Chess Program will roll out simultaneously across different regions nationwide. The journey begins with educational lectures for beginners and developing players—because learning always comes first. These will be followed by organized Swiss-system tournaments, giving participants a meaningful and structured competitive experience at the barangay level.
This nationwide initiative is led by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) under Chairman John Patrick G. Gregorio, with Commissioner Hon. Edward L. Hayco, in partnership with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by Chairman/President Hon. Prospero A. Pichay Jr. Together, they share one goal: inclusive sports development and nation-building through chess.
The program is open to FIDE-rated players 1500 and below, as well as unrated players, with endorsement from their respective barangays. Open to all ages and genders, it promotes discipline, respect, unity, and healthy competition—values that go beyond the chessboard.
At its heart, the Barangay Chess Program believes that a strong mind builds a stronger nation. Through chess, communities are empowered, young people are inspired, and lifelong skills like critical thinking, patience, and sportsmanship are developed.
The PSC–NCFP Barangay Chess Program is not just about winning games—it is about building character, strengthening communities, and making chess truly accessible to all.
Chess for Every Filipino.
