by Marlon Bernardino
The Pasig City King Pirates finished first with equal contribution of 6.5 each from the Individual champion IM Chito Garma, 2nd placer Omar Bagalasca, AGM Marc Labog, Kevin Arquero and Sherin Tiu to win the 1st PCAP Rated Open championship. The 2-day tournament was held at Estancia Mall last August 16-17, 2025 is rated under the United Philippine Chess Ratings System (UPCRS).
The IIEE PSME Quezon City Simba’s Tribe took the 2nd place led by individual 4th placer IM Ronald Dableo, NM Jose “Jojo” Aquino Jr., Samson Chhiu Chhin Lim, NM Bob Jones Liwagon and Narciso Gumila Jr.
In above photo, IIEE PSME Quezon Simba’s Tribe team receive their 2nd place award. From ;eft to right: Ferdie Reyes, PCAP Chairman Michael Angelo Chua, NM Bob Jones Liwagon, IM Ronald Dableo NM Jojo Aquino, Norman Madariaga, Narciso Gumila, Samson Chhiu Chhin Lim and PCAP President and Commissioner Paul Elauria.
Meanwhile after 6 rounds of the IIEE National Chess Olympiad season 7 held last August 15, 2025 via LiChess, the IIEE Singapore recaptured the lead with its 5th level championship tying erstwhile leader Filipino Chess Player League (FCPL-Qatar) with same number of level championship but higher aggregated score of 867 – 656.
Team Singapore was bannered by Bong Manaloto, GM Darwin Laylo, NM Bob Jones Liwagon, Don Henry Naperi, Ryan Mendoza, John Orven Tia, Louie Delcoro, Rolenson Loyola, Glenn Zenarosa, Narciso Gumila, Alexander Angelito, Nelsonerro Lagutin, Joemarie Resurreccion, NM Homer Cunanan, Eugene Pimentel and FM David Elorta.
In round 7 on August 29, 2025, Mapua will rejoin the level 1 with Faeldonia Philippine team. Mapua will target its 5th level championship to tie IIEE Singapore and FCPL-Qatar.
Other level champions in round 6 are: Mapua in level 2 led by IM Idelfonso Datu, IIEE Metro Manila in level 3 (their 2nd) led by Daryl Samantila and Bicol in level 4 (their first) led by wonderkid Chris Bryan Operiano. Rounding teams with level championship are Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineer (PSME) with 3, IIEE Iloilo with 2 and with 1 a-piece are International Chess Friends Federation (ICFF), GMG Chess Philippines, IIEE Metro Central, IIEE Saudi and IIEE Northern Luzon. Eyeing for their 1st level championship on next round are IIEE Mindanao, Faeldonia, IIEE eastern Visayas and the Chess Experts which is composed of international players.-Marlon Bernardino-