Touchmove Chess Tournament Returns to Capiz August 24

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A chess tournament for Capiceños is set for Aug. 24, 2025.

The Touchmove Tourney, the largest and most prestigious national chess event in Capiz, is expected to draw hundreds of enthusiasts.

Now in its fourth edition, Eduardo Basilonia’s Touchmove is the biggest invitational open rapid chess tournament in Roxas City and the province.

The tournament will feature top players and will be held at the atrium of SM City Mall in Roxas City.

The event consists of seven rounds using the Swiss system format, with a time control of 15 minutes plus a 3-second increment per move.

Two active Philippine grandmasters have confirmed their participation among the 128 expected players.

Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., the country’s third grandmaster, will compete after a decorated career that includes appearances in multiple Chess Olympiads.

Antonio, 63, has won championships in Sydney, Bacolod City and Baguio City, where he earned his GM title in 1993.

Darwin Laylo, the Philippines’ seventh grandmaster and Olympiad team veteran, is also in the lineup.

Laylo, 45, clinched titles at the 2006 Malaysian Open, the Bad Wiessee Tournament in Germany and the 2007 Asian Chess Championship in Cebu City, where he completed his GM norm.

The tournament is expected to attract arena masters, national masters, FIDE masters, international masters and grandmasters from across the country.

Active and rated players from Luzon, Mindanao, Cebu, Negros, Panay and Capiz have signaled their intent to join this highly anticipated 64-square showdown.

Touchmove champions from previous editions—Felixberto Baguyo Jr. (1st edition) of Metro Roxas Water District, Axl Verjes (2nd edition) and Allan Tutica (3rd edition) of Cal’s Poultry—have also indicated their plans to return.