Capiz Chess Tutorial Center

Enroll now!

The tutorial starts on November 23, 2025, and will take place every Sunday at 1:30 PM.

Madamo nga salamat, ATTY. SIMPLICIO "Otay" BERMEJO, JR.

Veterans emerge as champions!
"Capisnon All-Star Chess Showdown"
(35 and below against 36 and above)

After an intense battle over the 64 squares of the chessboard, the veteran chess players outsmarted the youth group with a final score of 26.5 to 22.5 points, securing both the championship trophy and a cash prize of P7,000.00.

In Round 1, the veteran chess players dominated the youth team, outscoring them 5.5 to 1.5 points.

The youth team made a comeback in Round 2, winning 5 to 2 points against the veterans.

In Rounds 3 and 4, the young group of woodpushers rallied back with consecutive scores of 4-3 and 4-3, taking the lead in the series by one point with a total of 14.5 against the veterans' 13.5.

However, the veterans staged a remarkable comeback in Round 5, scoring 5 points to the youth's 2 points.

In Round 6, the youth group earned 4.5 points, while the veterans managed 2.5 points, resulting in a tie at 21-all.

As they prepared for the final Round 7, both teams displayed seriousness, engaging in prayers and exchanging motivational words.

The pride and determination of each group to win the coveted championship trophy were evident.

Ultimately, the veterans' stamina and experience shone through during the crucial moments of Round 7, as they scored 5.5 points compared to the youth's 1.5 points.

The youth group finished as the runner-up and received a cash prize of P3,500.00.

Francisco Lamayo Jr. from Mambusao town was the top scorer for the veteran team with 6 points, while engineer Michael Falsis led the youth group by collecting 4.5 points.

Capiz's first-ever chess National Master Francis Jocson serves as arbiter of the Capisnon All-Star Chess Showdown.

Photos:
(seated) Champion veteran chess players.

From left, Ariel Andrada, Engr. Anthony Arcangeles, Chris Heyres, Allan Tutica, Felixberto Baguyo Jr., Patrick Panaligan, and Francisco Lamayo Jr.

Runner-up youth group
Standing from left, Engr. Michael Falsis, Arnamel John Gallegos, Prince Arron Dela Torre, Mark Christian Magbanua, Abraham Clint Pontino, Glenn Mark Lagulay, and Engr. Ronel Bryle Alsagon.

Pilar woodpusher rules Legal Moves 15-and-Under chess tourney

Twelve-year-old Nil Schecter Bayaban, a chess prodigy from the municipality of Pilar, achieved a perfect score of six points in the all-Capisnon Individual Rapid Chess Tournament, known as "Legal Moves," held at the second level of SM City-Roxas, November 9.

The tournament was sponsored by attorney Simplicio "Otay" Bermejo Jr. of Bermejo-Laurino and Bermejo Law Offices at Banawe Avenue, corner Quezon Avenue, in Quezon City.

Bayaban outplayed all six of his opponents, emerging as the top player among the 64 participants in the six-round Swiss System format, which featured a 15-minute time control plus a 2-second increment.

The young chess sensation from Pilar received a cash prize of P3,000 and a championship trophy.

Other winners also received cash prizes and medals, including,

First runner-up: Kaizer Cristoff Alado from Sibaguan, Roxas City

Second runner-up: Kyle Crebas Reprado from Tanque, Roxas City

Third runner-up: Norbert Fender Bayaban of Pilar, Capiz

Fourth runner-up: Kean Villas of Milibili, Roxas City

Fifth runner-up: Jelo Vincent Bito-on of Vizcaya, President Roxas, Capiz

Sixth runner-up: Paul Benedict Soberano of Cagay, Roxas City

Seventh runner-up: Toby Allister Lopez of Sibaguan, Roxas City

Eighth runner-up: Matthew Palalimpa of Lanot, Roxas City

Ninth runner-up: Philip Scot Gibson of Sta. Rita, Dumalag, Capiz

Tenth runner-up: Jireh Emmenual Andutan of Milibili, Roxas City

Special awards were also presented:
Zian Dave Joren from Bangonbangon, Sigma, Capiz, received the Promising Kiddie Player award for players aged 9 and below.

The Top Promising Kiddie Player award, designated for players aged 10 to 12 years old, went to Danica Villaron from Inzo Arnaldo Village, Roxas City.

The male recipient of the Top Promising Kiddie Player award was Lance Zandrei Bellosillo from Baybay, Roxas City.

Electrical Engineer Roel Bryan Alsagon serves as the chief arbiter, while Kenneth Dominador Calvez holds the position of pairing master. Additionally, Celso Acuyong and his wife, Smillyn, fulfill the roles of venue manager and secretary, respectively.

Photos:
(top) Pilareno Nil Schecter Bayaban (on the left) contemplates his strategies for securing the title against Paul Benedict Soberano from Roxas City.

(below from left) Nil Schecter Bayaban (at center) from Pilar town won the championship trophy in the 15-and-under all-Capisnon Individual Rapid Chess Tournament.

Below on the right side, you can see all the winners of the 15-and-under all-Capisnon Individual Rapid Chess Tournament.

The historic Touchmove Individual Open Rapid Chess Tournament was held on August 24, 2025, at the activity area of SM City-Roxas.

(top photo) Grandmaster Daniel Quizon wins the championship trophy and a cash prize of P100,000.00.

Capiz can host another big-time chess tourney

(Top photos) I am thrilled to share these rare photos featuring Capiz's first National Master (seated at the middle) alongside some of the top grandmasters in Philippine chess.

The chess masters from right to left are GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., GM Darwin Laylo, NM Francis Jocson, GM John Paul Gomez, and Daniel Quizon, who were captured during the 4th edition of the Touchmove Individual Open Rapid Chess Tournament held at SM City Mall in Roxas City on August 24, 2025.

Jocson earned his National Master title at the 1999 Inter-Cities and Province Chess Championship held in Cagayan de Oro City.
GM Joey Antonio became the third Philippine grandmaster in 1993, following GM Eugene Torre, who achieved this title in 1974, and the late GM Rosendo Balinas, who was recognized in 1976.
Other notable Philippine chess grandmasters include GM Darwin Laylo, who is the seventh, and GM John Paul Gomez, who is the tenth. The most recent grandmaster is Daniel Quizon, who ranks as the 18th.

Thank you to our country's International Masters, Ronald Dableo and Ricardo de Guzman.

Maraming salamat to FIDE Masters David Elorta, Mark Jay Bacojo, and Alekhine Nouri.

A heartfelt thank you to National Masters Francis Jocson, Cesar Mariano, Fritz Bryan Porras, Edwin Tan, Edsel Montoya, Ted Ian Montoyo, and Woman NM Mira Mirano.

Arena GM Marc Kevin Labog and AFM Jay Gumban Ganancial are acknowledged.

Salute to the 112 non-titled aspiring chess players in the countryside.

Super thank you sa suporta, NM Marlon Bernardino.
--edong25

Chess Drill: Your Best Move Begins!

The launching of the Capiz Chess Tutorial Center at the 2nd floor of the Plantanan Park, Roxas City, 02/08.

Thank you, Capisnon young chessers for your commitment.
Parents, madamo nga salamat sa inyo suporta.

Also to the sponsors:
ATTY. BLAS VITERBO
Plantanan Park, Roxas City

Atty. Simplicio "Otay" Bermejo, Jr.
Dr. Claire Israel Mejorada
Neneng Laurencia Besana Spielberg
Rhodora Simon
Edgardo "Jun" Arbolado
Engr. Emer Dellava
Jovy Salazar Wegner
Thanks also to Fred Estacio and BM Thea Faith Reyes .