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.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 17 MARCH 2026: Collazo Stops Haro; Fundora KO Ruiz; Barboza Outpoints Sims; Cacace UD Dickens
By Eric Armit, Wed, 18 Mar 2026Tapales Near Peak Form Ahead of April 3 Tokyo Showdown with Oguni
Wed, 18 Mar 2026MILLER AND PERO CLASH IN HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN IN LAS VEGAS ON APRIL 25
Wed, 18 Mar 2026Middleweight Championship Battle Between (C) Khamzat Chimaev and (#3) Sean Strickland Headlines UFC® 328 at Prudential Center Live on Paramount+
Wed, 18 Mar 2026Sampson Lewkowicz & TM Boxing Sign Undefeated Mexican Prospect José Ángel Guerrero to Co-Promotional Deal
Wed, 18 Mar 202612-Time World Champion & Hall of Famer James Toney Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Wed, 18 Mar 2026Five stitches for Donaire’s cut
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 17 Mar 2026Roberto Gomez Training Camp Notes
Tue, 17 Mar 2026Esneth Domingo Trains at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles Ahead of His US Debut
Tue, 17 Mar 2026Tatay Digong Birthday Run on March 28
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 17 Mar 202612-0 prospect Marco Romero to headline This Friday in Independence, Missouri
Tue, 17 Mar 2026700 athletes on March 21-22 at UM
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 17 Mar 2026United States Earns Four Gold Medals on Final Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
Mon, 16 Mar 2026Mexico wins 2 bronze medals at World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 16 Mar 2026Arnold Barboza Jr. Shines in Welterweight Debut, Defeats Kenneth Sims Jr. to Claim Wbo Global Welterweight Title
Sun, 15 Mar 2026