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John Lee Antonio Wins Moonroast Cafe Rapid Chess Tournament 

By Marlon Bernardino
John Lee Antonio emerged as champion of the Moonroast Cafe Rapid Chess Tournament held 28 September 2025 at the Tropang Chess Club headquarters in Poblacion, Makati City, Philippines.
Antonio (left) finished the 7-round Swiss system competition with an undefeated score of 6.0 points on account of 5 wins and 2 draws to clinch the title and the P1,200 cash prize in this 1-day event, organized by Pete Dadula and hosted by Fred Fernandez in cooperation with Francis Burt Magpili.
National Master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. (left) and Ely Estabillo occupied the second to third spots with identical 5.5 points to receive P1,000 and P500, respectively.
Completing the top 14 were Denzel John Amar, Christian Roche Thompson, Rowenson Fabregas, NM Romeo Alcodia, Bernard Tenorio, Warren Luchavez III, Erick Spencer Valdez, Eldiberto Manalo, Edgar Panganiban, Arnold Renz Ramos and Neil Cribe.
Meanwhile, the most outstanding performers in their respective categories were Warren Luchavez (Best Poblacion Player), April Jylian Magpily (Best Female Player), Rod Sulit (Best Senior Player), Realy Esquivel and Zeus Caleb Buenavides (Best Kiddie Players). -Marlon Bernardino-
Final Standings:
6.0 points John Lee
5.5 points NM Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., Ely Estavillo
5.0 points Denzel John Amar, Christian Roche Thompson, Rowenson Fabregas
4.5 points NM Romeo Alcodia, Bernard Tenorio
4.0 points Warren Luchavez III, Erick Spencer Valdez, Eldiberto Manalo, Edgar Panganiban, Arnold Renz Ramos, Neil Cribe

Asians Win World Juniors and Girls Rapid Chess Championships

The FIDE World Junior Rapid Chess Championships concluded in Lima, Peru with remarkable victories that highlighted the strength of the new generation of players. IM Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov (Uzbekistan) and WGM Xeniya Balabayeva (Kazakhstan) are the newly crowned World Junior Rapid Champions, winning the open and girls’ sections, respectively.

With two grandmasters and several strong international masters in the field, the open tournament was tightly contested and went down to the wire. Heading into the final ninth round, three Uzbek players—Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov, Mukhiddin Madaminov, and Khumoyun Begmuratov—shared the lead with 6.5/8, closely followed by six players (including top seed GM Denis Lazavik) on 6/8.

After Madaminov drew with Maksim Tsaruk and Lazavik defeated Begmuratov, Suyarov got his shot at gold—a chance he did not miss. Playing the white side of a Ruy Lopez, he prevailed over Juan Jose Cano Alcaraz (Colombia), clinching the title with an excellent score of 7.5/9.

Four players tied for second place, with Madaminov and Lazavik taking silver and bronze, respectively, thanks to superior Buchholz tiebreaks.

Final standings Open

The girls’ event was equally strong and exciting. Despite a second-round setback against WFM Varvara Poliakova (FIDE), Xeniya Balabayeva reeled off five straight victories to seize the lead.

Peruvian Grandmaster Deysi Cori, one of Latin America’s most celebrated chess players, made a special appearance at the final round of the Women’s World Junior Rapid Chess Championship in Lima, where she made the ceremonial first move. Her participation highlighted the importance of inspiring the next generation and added a symbolic touch to the event’s closing day.

Entering the final round on 6.5/8, half a point ahead of three pursuers, Xeniya achieved a winning position against one of her main rivals, WIM Afruza Khamdamova, but misplayed it and had to settle for a draw. That result was enough to secure the title, as her other challengers, Poliakova and Anna Zhurova, split the point after a long battle.

Khamdamova and Poliakova earned silver and bronze, respectively, edging out Zhurova on tiebreaks.

Final standings Girls

Photos: Patricia Claros Aguilar

Official website: fidewj2025.com/

From FIDE World Junior Rapid Championship 2025: Suyarov and Balabayeva capture titles – International Chess Federation

Marius Constante Wins PSC-NCFP Batang Pinoy Chess Henyo (Luzon leg)

Eight-year-old Marius Constante receives his trophy from NCFP CEO/Executive Director FST GM Jayson Gonzales for winning the PSC-NCFP Batang Pinoy Chess Henyo (Luzon leg) held 27 September 2025 at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence on Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines8-year-old Marius Constante (champion) and
The chess prodigy from Novaliches, Quezon City, accumulated an undefeated score in six games.
His impressive 5.5/6 score in the 8-10 year old boys section not only outpaced the other participants but also secured his position in the prestigious PSC grassroots program National Developmental Athletes Pool.
Just a week ago, Marius dominated the 21st Noypi Magnolia 13-under category.
NM Jose Rafael “Jojo” Legaspi and FM Noel Dela Cruz assisted Marius in his preparation. -Marlon Bernardino-

Xavier School San Juan Wins Jesuit Athletic Meet in the Philippines

Xavier School team, from left, bd 5 Nathan Emilio Valdez, bd 2 Jericho Winston Cu, bd 6 Kirk Xander Lim, bd 3 Ryan Gabriel Taguba, bd 4 AFM Philip Gregory Pe, bd 1 FM Ivan Travis Cu, Athletic Director Ms. Aimee Apolinario and Head Coach Rolando Yutuc

By Marlon Bernardino

Xavier School San Juan won the Jesuit Athletic Meet (JAM) Chess Team Tournament held September 24-26, 2025 at the Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

FIDE Master (FM) Master Ivan Travis Cu bannered the squad that successfully defended its title in the High School Division of this prestigious tourney among Jesuit Schools in the Philippines.

Joining FM Ivan in the winning team were Jericho Winston Cu, Ryan Gabriel Taguba and Arena FIDE Master (AFM) Philip Gregory Pe.
Completing the victorious squad that is being mentored by Xavier School Athletic Director Ms. Aimee Apolinario and International Chess Federation Arbiter Rolando Yutuc are alternate players Nathan Emilio Valdez and Kirk Xander Lim.

Aside from winning the gold medal in board 1 after tallying a perfect score (4/4), FM Ivan also asserted his dominance to win the blitz category with 4.5 points, the same output of AFM Philip.
Xavier finished with 8 match points and 15.5 game points.
Ateneo de Manila University finished second with 8 match points and 15.0 game points followed by Ateneo de Zamboanga University with 7 match points and 12.5 game points.

Ateneo de Davao University HS placed fourth with 5 match points and 9 game points, Ateneo de Naga University placed fifth with 2 match points and 8 game points and sixth and last place Loyola College of Cullon with 2 game points.

Beyond the result, Xavier saw the victory as a breakthrough that validated the long hours they’ve invested in practice and preparation.

The Tournament Director was Carla Sucalit while National Arbiter Lorenzo Cuizon Jr. served as the Chief Arbiter in the chessfest -Marlon Bernardino-

2nd Kuwait International Chess Festival set 15-24 January 2026

Kuwait Chess Federation, with its prominent activities across Kuwait, is proud to announce the historical second chess Festival for various categories, featuring top players from around the world. This tournament is open to all FIDE players, of all ages and skill levels,
and offers a chance to showcase your talent, relish and compete for prizes.
By the Kuwait Chess Federation & Chess House Academy– Kuwait
1. Festival Events:
• 1.1 Open Masters: Open to all Fide rated players with standard rating of 1900 ELO and above with an exception for all Kuwait Players and GCC Players, the tournament will be (9) Rounds Swiss System with a time control of 90 minutes for the first 40 moves followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an addition of 30 seconds per move starting from move one.
• 1.2 Open Challengers: Open to all players with FIDE ID, The Tournament will be (9) Rounds Swiss System with Time Control of 60 Minutes plus 30 Seconds Increment from Move No.1.
• 1.3 Open Ladies: Open to all players with FIDE ID, The Tournament will be (9) Rounds Swiss System with Time Control of 60 Minutes plus 30 Seconds Increment from Move No.1.
• 1.4 Open Rapid: Open to all Player with FIDE ID, the tournament will be (9) Rounds with the Time Control of 10 Minutes plus 3 Seconds increment from Move No.1.
• 1.5 Open Blitz: Open to all Player with FIDE ID, the tournament will be (9) Rounds with the Time Control of 3 Minutes plus 2 Seconds increment from Move No. 1

Download 2nd Kuwait International Chess Festival-V3

8 Year Old Wins 21st Noypi x Robinson’s Magnolia 13-under FIDE-Rated Rapid Tournament

Champion 8 year old Marius Constante and tournament director National Arbiter Richard Dela Cruz.
By Marlon Bernardino
Marius Constante swept the seven round 21st Noypi x Robinson’s Magnolia Kids 13-under FIDE-Rated Rapid Chess Tournament 20th September 2025 in Quezon City, Philippines.
The eight year old Novaliches, Quezon City resident Constante, prevailed over Zyler Dayo, Elisha Caleb Lim, Keith Aldridge Gascon, Zachary Villavicencio, Ricky Ryan Besco, Ivan Cedric Licu and Tito Lorenzo Balibalos.
‘I dedicate this to Mama (Mary Ann Zabanal Constante) because she told me she wanted a medal as my gift to her this Christmas,” he said.
It was sportsman Jojo Legaspi and FIDE Master Noel Dela Cruz who provided the utmost support to Marius’ training.-Marlon Bernardino-

GM Sanan Sjugirov Wins 1st Buddhist Rapid Chess Championship

GM Sanan Sjugirov of Hungary won the 1st Buddhist Rapid Chess Championship held 18-21 September in Kalmykia, Russia. A total of 34 players from eight countries participated in the 9-round Swiss rapid chess championship, namely Hungary, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand and host Russia.

Sjugirov finished alone with 8 points for the gold medal. GM Tsydypov, Zhamsaran of Russia won the silver medal with 7.5 points followed by local bet IM Roman Shogdzhiev of Kalmykia with 6.5 points for the bronze medal. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings.

GM Tsydypov, Zhamsaran of Russia won the blitz tournament with 10 points out of 11 rounds. GM Daniel Quizon of the Philippines won the silver medal while GM Sanan Sjugirov of Hungary won bronze in a tie at 9 points each.

Among those in photo in front of the Buddhist temple in Elista, Kalmykia are Thailand Chess Association president Sahapol Nakvanich (fourth from right) and Myanmar Chess Federation president Maung Maung Lwin (third from left).

IIEE Singapore Wins 7th level championships in IIEE Olympiad

The IIEE Singapore team won another level championship in the penultimate 9th round of the IIEE National Chess Olympiad. They lead the remaining 16-teams going into the last round scheduled October 3, 2025 via Lichess.
Mark Gerald Reyes led all scorers with 16 points and other Singaporean players with more than 10 points each include his brothers FM Narquingden, Chester Neil and Narquingel along with FM Alekhine Nouri, CM Jayson Visca, Adrian Esteva and Andres Bautista.
Singapore was tied with FCPL-Qatar at 114 each and Mapua at 111 but the Singapore team was able to score 14 points more and left both Mapua and FCPL-Qatar with 120 points apiece to both remain with 6 level championship.
These top 3 teams are already assured qualification intp the 10-team play-off battle Royale together with IIEE Saudi, Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineer (PSME) and International Chess Friends Federation (ICFF) who all have 3 level championships.
IIEE Metro Manila and IIEE Iloilo have 2 level championships. IIEE Mindanao has also 2 level championship but may drop out due to tie break in total points.
Teams with single level championship GMG Laguna, Faeldonia, Metro Central, Northern Luzon or Bicol need to notch it’s 2nd level championship on the 10th round.
Eastern Central Visayas and Bayanihan Chess Club could get the last slot if they could win the last round with total score of 59 points provided that those teams with single championship lose in their respective group level.

Yunus Khan of India Wins Dasman Classic Chess Championship in Kuwait

Yunus Khan of India finished alone with 7.5 points to win the Dasman Classic Chess Championship organized 10-18 September 2025 by the Kuwait Mind Sports Association in Kuwait.

Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and final standings and to download games.

Champion Yunus Khan of India (left)

Runner-up Amani Alazmi of Kuwait (left)

 

Third place Lodhi Khalid of Pakistan.

12th Beirut International Open Slated 17 to 27 October 2025

The Amicale Notre Dame – Chess Club is glad to invite you to participate in the “12th Beirut International Open – Chess Championship” from 17 to 27 October 2025

The “12th Beirut International Championship” is open to all players regardless of their title or rating.

The application should be returned not later than 12 October 2025 to Mr. Jacques Bedrossian. By mail: jack.bedrossian60@hotmail.com

Download New 12th Beirut Open Regulations