Philippines, 02 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Plans for Phil. Chess mulled at SCOOP


PhilBoxing.com


MANILA (PNA) -- Whether or not it pushes through with its non-participation in the coming 27th Southeast Asian Games, the National Chess Federation of the Philippines will continue pursuing its calendar of activities aimed at producing more Grandmasters. NCFP president Prospero "Butch" Pichay was reported the other day to be thinking of the possibility of boycotting the SEA Games set in December in Myanmar because of the process of adding and reducing several events resorted to by the host country to favor its campaign but detrimental to the campaign of others, especially the Philippines. NCFP executive director Jayson Gonzales yesterday said during the SCOOP Sa Kamayan session that the association has no official stand yet on the issue and that Pichay will be coming out with an announcement next week.

First and foremost, Gonzales announced during the forum, sponsored by Powerade, AKTV and FILA, is the training program GMs Wesley So and Olivir Barbosa will undergo to prepare them for the World of Chess where they will carry the country's colors August 15 to September 5 in Olson, Norway.

Gonzales said during yesterday's SCOOP Sa Kamayan session that while So, the youngest player to earn his norm at age 14 six years ago flew to the United States last week to continue his training while enjoying a chess scholarship.

"Barbosa, on the other hand, is slated to take part in pair of international tournaments in Vietnam in March, Thailand in April," Gonzales, himself a Grandmaster, said.

"During school breaks in the U.S., So, who earned his seat in the World Cup by ending up second in the recent qualifyiung tournament held in Tagaytay City, and Barbosa, who was first to make it in a tournament in Vietnam last years, will be touring Europe June until July as part of the build-up scheme lined up by the NCFP.

More Filipinos actually stand to join So and Barbosa to the Norway sojourn should they survive the next Asian World Cup tentatively elimination scheduled May 22-29 at a place still to be decided by the International Chess Federation.

"NCFP, through president Pichay, has submitted its bid to host the next qualifying tournament and if we win that right, that would be a big boost for our chess players to earn seats, too, in the Norway World Cup," Gonzales said. "Pag dumami ang participants natin, siyempre, mas malaki ang tsansa na manalo."

Also scheduled to be held in the country is the Asian Inter-Cities championships in November in Tagaytay City, Gonzales said. Plan is also afoot to train coaches and trainers as well regular seminars for arbiters to uplift the standard of Filipino coaches and arbiters.

Meanwhile, Gonzales also announced that the grand finals of the national age-group championship for players age 6-20 has been scheduled April; 11-19 in Taguig City, adding that an elimination tournament for the purpose will be held Mar 3-6 in Malolos City in Bulacan.

"Winners of the grand finals will advance to the Asean age-group championships in Bangkok June 8-17 and Iran June 20-28," the NCFP executive director said. "This mass-based age-group propgram is part of the NCFP's efforts to develop young and fresh talents, which we can develop to become GMs. Remember, we last had our 16th GM 2011 pa when Barbosa earned the distinction."


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Lavant Brownlee Earns Gold, Lorenzo Patricio Earns Silver at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Disputes hometown decision for NBA Americas Featherweight title
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER WINKY WRIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Reyes Siblings New Champions in US chess tourney
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • ‘There's no way I'm going to lose’ -- Holly McMath looks to make a statement in high-stakes trilogy fight
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • Former US President Obama will donate Ali gloves to his presidential library
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • Almacen Brothers Make Weight, Ready for Battle in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.