Kids and Families Invited to Think, Play, and Bond Over the Board at the 2nd Masikhay Gambit Chess Tournament

Young players and their families have a new reason to spend a Saturday together over a chessboard, as the PMA Masikhay Class of 1999 – Army Group announces the second staging of the Masikhay Gambit Chess Tournament, a FIDE-rated event welcoming players of all ages on 26 September 2026, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, at The Shoppes at McKinley West, Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, McKinley West, Taguig City.

Unlike many adult-dominated chess events, the Masikhay Gambit was built with young players in mind. The tournament runs three divisions side by side — Kiddies (14 years old and below), Juniors (20 years old and below), and Open — so a child taking their first serious steps in chess can compete, earn a rating, and win prizes alongside players their own age, while parents and older siblings cheer from the sidelines or join the Open division themselves.

“Chess teaches children something a screen never can — how to sit still, think three steps ahead, and take responsibility for their own decisions,” said [Name of Spokesperson], [Position/Title] of the PMA Masikhay Class of 1999 – Army Group. “We wanted a tournament where a ten-year-old playing their first rated game and a parent watching from a nearby table could both walk away having learned something about patience and focus. That is what the Masikhay Gambit is about.”

Every registered player will receive a complimentary tournament shirt, and all participants are automatically entered into a raffle with 10 winners. Cash prizes and trophies await the top finishers in each division, with additional awards for the Top Senior, Top High School, and Top Elementary players in the Open Division. The tournament follows the 7-round Swiss System format, with a 15-minute-plus-3-second time control that keeps games brisk enough to hold a young player's attention without sacrificing the thinking time serious competition requires.

Families driving in are also covered: the mall offers free parking to all tournament participants with vehicles, making it easier for parents to bring their young players — and stay to watch — without worrying about where to park.

Registration is tiered to reward early sign-ups: the early bird rate of ₱800 is available until 10 September, rising to ₱1,000 from 11–17 September and ₱1,200 from 18–24 September, with no onsite registration accepted beyond 24 September. Interested players and parents may register via GCash (09175690979, RY*N S.) or coordinate directly with Tournament Coordinator Kevin Arquero at 09172506697.

Beyond the trophies and prize money, proceeds from the tournament will support the welfare fund for dependents of fallen Mistahs of the PMA Masikhay Class of 1999, ongoing Class projects, and other socio-civic causes the Class already supports — giving every family that registers a stake in something larger than the game itself.