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Commonwealth Chess Championship 2025 begins in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The prestigious Commonwealth Chess Championship 2025 officially kicked off in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, heralding a week of intense competition, strategic brilliance, and international camaraderie. Organized by the Malaysian Chess Federation under the auspices of the Commonwealth Chess Association (CCA) and the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the event runs from November 9 to 15, 2025.

The opening ceremony featured a symbolic inaugural game between Bharat Singh Chauhan, President of the Commonwealth Chess Association, and Akhramsyah Muammar, President of the Malaysian Chess Federation. Their friendly encounter set the tone for a championship built on unity, friendship, and sporting excellence that the Commonwealth proudly represents.

A total of 373 players from 16 Commonwealth nations are participating in this year’s edition, making it one of the largest and most competitive in the event’s history. The field boasts an impressive mix of Grandmasters, International Masters, Women Grandmasters, and promising young talents, reflecting the growing strength and depth of chess across the Commonwealth.

Grandmaster Mitrabha Guha of India headlines the field as the top seed, reaffirming India’s leadership in the world of chess. The event has drawn participants from a diverse range of nations, including Australia, Bangladesh, Botswana, Canada, England, Kenya, Maldives, Mauritius, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Scotland, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and host country Malaysia, competing across multiple categories.

Beyond the competitive battles, the championship stands as a celebration of the shared heritage, goodwill, and cultural exchange that unite the Commonwealth nations through the game of chess.

Parings and results

From Commonwealth Chess Championship 2025 begins in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – International Chess Federation

Chester Neil Reyes Wins 17th Kamatyas Rapid Chess Tournament

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-

Pasig Police Board Patrol Checkpoint Challenge FIDE Rated Chess Tournament

Ang Buhay at Batas, in partnership with Pasig City Police Station, Soroptimist International Pasig, Nicolas & de Vega Law Offices and the National Chess Federation of the Philippines will hold a FIDE Rated Chess Tournament for Pasig policemen and policewomen dubbed as Pasig Police Board Patrol Checkpoint Challenge to be held 9am on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at the Pasig City Police Headquarters, C. Raymundo Ave., Pasig City, Philippines.
The FIDE rated 7-round rapid chess tournament offers P10,000 to the champion. Second place will earn P5,000, 3rd place will receive P3,000 while Best Policewoman will bring home P5,000.
Free registration, free lunch and free merienda to all participants.
With Special Guest is GM Eugene Torre, Asia’s First Grandmaster.
Open to Pasig police only.
Please register with PCPT Resel Guevarra and PEMS Miguel Torallo.
The Soroptimist International of Pasig joined hands with the Pasig City Police Station, led by PCOL Hendrix Mangaldan and the Philippine Association of Esthetic Dentistry Pasig-Pateros-Taguig Chapter and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote child nutrition through the 3Ts Program — Tamang Pagkain, Tamang Timbang, at Tamang Kalusugan was held November 6, 2025 at Pasig Police Headquarters
-Marlon Bernardino-

Kamatyas FIDE Rapid Chess Open Slated November 8 

The 17th Edition of the Kamatyas FIDE Rapid Chess Tournament will be held on November 8, 2025, at NOMO, Molino Boulevard, Brgy. San Nicolas 1 and Bayanan, Bacoor City, Cavite, Philippines.
The Open 7-round Swiss System tournament, organized by International Master Roderick Nava and National Master David Almirol Jr. of the Kamatyas Chess Club, has a top prize of P30,000 plus a trophy.
“Free registration and lunch to all participating players,” said IM Nava.
The second to fourth placers will receive P10,000, P7,000, and P5,000, respectively. The fifth to 10th placers will receive P2,000 each, while the 11th to 15th placers will earn P1,000 each.
Consolation awards await the top scorers in the following categories: Kiddies, Juniors, Seniors, and Ladies. -Marlon Bernardino-

Standard Team Awards in Asian Schools Chess Championship

To encourage team work among players from each country, team medals will be awarded per category based on the total score of the top three players of a federation. Federations with fewer than three players will not be eligible for a team award. In case of any tie, the tie-break scores of each player shall be considered.

Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan Top Asian Schools Chess Championship

Prime Minister Gombojav Zandanshatar (right), president of the Mongolian Chess Federation, and former FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov award trophies to the top three federations.

Mongolian children won three gold, three silver and eight bronze medals to top the Asian Schools Chess Championship standard event held 24th to 31st October in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Russians playing under FIDE flag followed with three gold and two silver medals. Kazakhstan placed overall third with two gold medals.

Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings.

To replay live broadcast featuring the top boards from each category, please visit the following link:

Asian Schools Chess Championships 2025 • Round 8 • lichess.org

 

 

FIDE Al-Ain ACMG Academy launch: A new era of global talent development

The FIDE Trainers’ Commission is delighted to announce the official launch of the FIDE Al-Ain ACMG Academy, scheduled to begin on 1 December 2025.

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich emphasized that this flagship initiative represents a cornerstone of FIDE’s long-term global strategy to develop young chess talents and ensure that every federation has equal access to world-class instruction.

“The FIDE Al-Ain ACMG Academy reflects our vision of a truly global chess community — one where talent, passion, and opportunity meet. By connecting young players with some of the greatest trainers in history, we are building a bridge to the future of chess education and giving every federation the chance to nurture its next generation of champions,” said Dvorkovich.

Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Sultan bin Shakhbout Al Nahyan, President of the Al Ain Chess & Mind Games Club, presented the launch of FIDE Al-Ain ACMG Academy as a project of global importance:

“This Academy is more than a training project — it is a dream shared by us and FIDE that every child deserves the chance to learn, dream and become a champion. Together with the FIDE Trainers’ Commission, we are creating a global platform that welcomes every young player, no matter where they come from — to engage in high-level training and learn from some of the greatest minds in chess history.”

The Academy brings together a constellation of legendary chess minds — including Hou Yifan, Rustam Kasimdzhanov, Alexander Khalifman, Vladimir Chuchelov, Artur Jussupow, Iossif Dorfman, Adrian Mikhalchishin, Ramesh R B, Vladimir Potkin, Aleksey Dreev, Vladimir Malakhov, Yevgeniy Vladimirov, Melikset Khachiyan, Yannick Gozzoli, Farrukh Amonatov, Alonso Zapata, and other great lecturers to be announced soon — who will deliver a comprehensive 400-hour training program designed to inspire and elevate the next generation of champions.

Training will be conducted in twelve specialized groups, across four languages (English, Russian, Spanish, and French), and will run from December 2025 to May 2026. The curriculum blends advanced chess instruction with personal development sessions, emphasizing both intellectual growth and character building.

A key highlight of the program will be the FIDE Al-Ain ACMG Academy Training Camp, which will take place in two stages — an online phase followed by an in-person camp in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates, scheduled for mid-January 2026.

Participation in the camp will be determined based on selection criteria to be announced at a later stage.

FIDE invites all National Chess Federations to nominate four promising young players — two boys and two girls aged 8 to 16 — to take part in this prestigious program.

Nominations should be submitted by completing the [Registration Form] and sending it to trainers@fide.com no later than 14 November 2025.

The FIDE Al-Ain ACMG Academy embodies FIDE’s enduring commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and the advancement of chess education worldwide — shaping not only future grandmasters but also future leaders through the universal language of chess.

For more details and updates, please visit the FIDE Trainers’ Commission website.

Check Your Entries in Asian Youth Chess Championship in Bangkok

The tentative list of players has been published in chess-results.com. Please check your players and age group.

For changes, if any, please enter corrections in the registration app and inform the Organizing Committee:

For General Information: Nik.asiayouth@gmail.com WhatsApp : +66-989031510
For Transportation Contact: jay.asiayouth@gmail.com WhatsApp :+66-902859941
For Hotel Contact : hotel.asiayouth@gmail.com WhatsApp : +66 989031510
Asian Chess Federation
Casto Abundo, asianchessfederation@yahoo.com WhatsApp: +971 55 515 4554

Visit: Registration Going On for Asian Youth Chess Championship in Bangkok – Asian Chess