Baguyo becomes first Capisnon Arena FIDE Master

By Eduard Basilonia

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Felixberto Baguyo Jr., 47, a resident of Barangay Bato in Roxas City, has earned the title of 2025 Arena FIDE Master (AFM), as confirmed by Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) President Arkady Dvorkovich.

Baguyo is the first Capisnon to receive the AFM title from FIDE, the international governing body of chess. He also serves as acting information and communications technology (ICT) division manager for the Metro Roxas Water District (MRWD).

Chess coach Kenneth Calvez welcomed the achievement, saying, “What a blessing to the Capiz chess community; first, Engineer Roel Bryan Alsagon recently clinched the Arena International Master title, and now Felix Baguyo has followed suit with the AFM title.”

As of early 2025, Baguyo holds a Standard rating of 1690 and a Rapid rating of 1677 on the FIDE Online Arena (FOA), with a FIDE ID of 5265525. He previously competed with a higher initial rating of 1815 in May 2024.

The FOA is FIDE’s official online platform where players can earn internationally recognized titles by reaching designated Elo ratings in standard, rapid, blitz, or bullet formats. Titles are recorded on a player’s FIDE profile and require consistent performance over a minimum number of games.

Baguyo is a member of the 2010 Capiz Chess Team, which placed eighth in the Inter-City and Province National Chess Team Championship.

He was also the first-ever champion of Touchmove, an all-Capisnon rapid chess tournament, and has consistently earned top finishes, including first runner-up in the Rapido de Ajedrez chess tournament.

Other notable Capisnon chess masters include Francis Jocson, the province’s first National Master in 1999; Engineer Roel Bryan Alsagon, the 2025 Arena International Master; and Felixberto Baguyo Jr., now recognized as the 2025 Arena FIDE Master.

FIDE recognizes chess master titles in ascending order of prestige: National Master, FIDE Master, International Master, and Grandmaster.