20/08/2026
CHESS CORNER PH
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.
NCFP
via AGM Marlon Bernardino
