All set for Ozamiz chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 24 Sep 2025
OZAMIZ, the beautiful and enchanting city in the heart of Misamis Occidental Province, will become chess capital of the country — Hosting four national and international chess events.
The prestigious event will bring together the country’s leading masters and non-masters as well foreign players for fun and excitement to celebrate chess and the people in this “Gateway to Northwestern Mindanao.”
National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Director and Asenso Misamis Occidental Chess Association (AMOFCA) President Engr. Rey Crisologo Urbiztondo said Ozamiz City is ready.
“Ozamiz City, through Gov. Henry Oaminal, is ready to put its best face to welcome chess players and participants in the said festivities,” said Urbiztondo, who is best remembered for his runner-up finish behind GM Enrico Sevillano in the 1983 Cebu All Students Chess Championships.
Backed up by Misamis Occidental Gov. Henry S. Oaminal Sr., Asenso Pinoy Representative Atty. Henry “Indy” Oaminal Jr., Rep. Sancho Fernando “Ando” Oaminal and Ozamis City Mayor Atty Sam Norman Fuentes, the highlights of the festivities is the ASEAN+ Individual Chess Championship to be held in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental from November 2–10, 2025.
The nine-day tournament, being held in celebration of the Province of Misamis Occidental’s 96th Founding Anniversary, is expected to draw more than the four Grandmasters and six International Masters required for a tournament to be eligible to hand out an automatic GM title to the champion.
Apart from the GM title to the winner, the meet will also award an IM title and a GM norm to the second placer and an IM to the third placer in the open section, while a WGM title will be staked in the women’s side.
Aside from the open and women’s sections of this Asean Chess Confederation-sanctioned event, there will be competitions for players rated 2000 and 1700 and below.
“This event is not only about winning medals but also about building connections, inspiring our youth, and showing the world that Misamis Occidental and the Philippines can host tournaments of the highest caliber,” said NCFP president/chairman Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr.
“We are proud to welcome some of the strongest chess nations and showcase both the talent of our players and the hospitality of our people,” he added.
Other scheduled chess tournament are the World Chess Olympiad Selection on October 4–5, 2025, the Philippine Team Selection on October 18–19 and the Batang Pinoy Henyo Selection on November 15.
For inquiries and registration, please contact NCFP’s Enrica Aumenta (0908) 771 7066 . -Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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