Chester Neil Reyes emerged as champion in the 17th Kamatyas FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament on November 8, 2025 at the NOMO- A Vista Lifestyle Center in Bacoor City, Cavite, Philippines.
In photo are, from left, Jebel Dela Cruz, International Master Roderick Nava, Karlycris Clarito Jr. (2nd Place), Chester Neil Reyes (Champion) , Ritchie James Abeleda (3rd Place) and National Master David Almirol Jr.
Reyes pocketed the P30,000 purse and trophy for winning the tournament which drew over 150 participants.
He had a perfect record of 7.0 points in the seven-round Swiss system chess tournament.
The top player of the University of Santo Tomas chess team scored seven consecutive wins against Resty Penes, Carlos Daniel Manipon, Gio Troy Ventura, Pilip Orquina, Don Tyrone Delos Santos, FIDE Master Randy Segarra and International Master Ronald Dableo.
“I would like to thank National Master David Almirol Jr. And International Master Roderick Nava of Kamatyas Chess Club for organizing this FIDE rated rapid chess tournament,” said Reyes, who hails from Rodriguez, Rizal.
Making ceremonial opening moves are International Master Roderick Nava and Marius Constante in foreground, and National Master David Almirol Jr. and International Master Ronald Dableo in background.
Karlycris Clarito Jr. of La Salle , meanwhile , placed second overall with 6.5 points and pocketed the P10,000 top purse.
Third place honors went to Ritchie James Abeleda who edged fellow six pointer Christian Tolosa in the tie break. Abeleda earned P7,000 while Tolosa claimed fourth place and the P5,000 prize.
The fifth to 10th placers who got 5.5 points each were Segarra, Dableo, FIDE Master Christian Mark Daluz, Giovanni Mejia, Michael Linde and Juncin Estrella, respectively.
Eighty year old National Master Allan Sasot won the top Senior award.
In the kiddies division, Clyde Jared Torena tallied 6.5 points to bring home the title.
Don Lester Abundo, Cyrine Kate Teves, Marcus Dalton Ballao wound up second to fourth placers after tallying identical 5.5 points each.
Marco Polo Sanido took overall 5th place with a higher tie break point in the huge group of five pointers that includes Kale Darren Condes, Renz Jemuel Sosa, Geoffriam Aninao, and Steve Nitafan.
The 1-day rapid tournament was hosted by National Master David Almirol Jr. and International Master Roderick Nava of Kamatyas Chess Club.
-Marlon Bernardino-