Top Chess Masters to Compete in Touchmove Tourney

By EJ Basilonia

ROXAS CITY—The eagerly anticipated Touchmove 4th Edition: Individual Open Rapid Chess Tournament is set for August 24 at the Atrium of SM City Roxas in Capiz.

This event is expected to be the largest chess tournament ever held in Roxas City and the province of Capiz.

It will feature 24 titled players, including three arena masters, eight national masters, four FIDE masters, five international masters, and four grandmasters.

Notable participants include Philippine third GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio, seventh GM Darwin Laylo, 10th GM John Paul Gomez, and 18th GM Daniel Quizon.

The tournament will follow a seven-round Swiss System format, with each player given 15 minutes per game and a three-second increment after every move.

International masters include Ronald Dableo, Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Hamed Nouri, Jan Emmanuel Garcia, and Angelo Young.

Leading the Philippine FIDE masters is young prodigy Alekhine Nouri of Escalante City, Negros Occidental, along with David Elorta, Roel Abelgas, and Christian Gian Carlo Arca.

Filipino national masters joining include Francis Jocson, Capiz’s first-ever NM and hometown favorite; Cesar Mariano, Iloilo’s second NM; Fritz Bryan Porras of Guimaras; Allan Cantonjos of Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental; and Aklan’s only female NM, Mira Mirano.

Other national masters from Negros Island are Ted Ian Montoyo, Edwin Tan, and Edsel Montoya.

Currently, 43 rated and aspiring woodpushers have registered for the tournament in the Seafood Capital of the Philippines.

Two former Touchmove champions will also join the competition.

First champion Felixberto Baguyo Jr. of Metro Roxas Water District and third champion Allan Tutica of Cal’s Poultry Supply, both from Roxas City, have confirmed their participation.

Second champion Axl Verjes has yet to confirm attendance.

Chief arbiter Patrick Panaligan and his team will oversee the 128 participants from across the country.