JULY 11, 2026
OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental — More than 400 chess players from across Mindanao and the Visayas gathered in Ozamiz City for the 6th Governor Henry S. Oaminal Chess Festival, as the province continued its efforts to expand opportunities for local athletes and strengthen chess development.
The festival opened on July 11 as part of Ozamiz City’s 78th Charter Day celebration, with the Local Government Unit of Asenso Ozamiz serving as host.
This year’s edition featured an Open Chess Tournament and the first 3×3 Team Chess Tournament, or Tatluhan, giving players an additional format to test their skills.
The competition offered a total prize pool of P500,000 across its tournament categories, with support from Governor Oaminal, Second District Representative Sancho Fernando “Ando” Oaminal, Asenso Pinoy Party-list Representative Atty. Henry “Indy” Oaminal Jr. and Ozamiz City Mayor Sam Norman Fuentes.
A total of 404 players participated in the festival, coming from Misamis Occidental and other parts of Northern Mindanao, as well as Davao and Cebu.
The participation of players from outside the region highlighted the festival’s growing reach and its potential to establish Ozamiz City as a venue for competitive chess events.
Adding to the competition was the presence of some of the country’s leading chess players, including Grandmasters Eugene Torre, Jayson Gonzales, Joey Antonio and Daniel Quizon, as well as Woman Grandmaster Janelle Frayna..
The festival is part of a broader push to develop sports in Misamis Occidental, particularly by providing young athletes with opportunities to compete at higher levels.
In recent years, the province has hosted major chess competitions, including the ASEAN+ Age Group Individual Chess Championships, while continuing to support Misamis Occidental athletes competing in the Northern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association Meet and the Palarong Pambansa.
At the local level, the Chess Festival has also grown in scale, with this year’s prize pool doubled from previous editions and incentives extended to participating players. For Oaminal, however, the festival is not simply about determining winners.
The province’s continued investment in chess is intended to help young players develop discipline, strategic thinking and confidence while giving them exposure to stronger competition.
With 404 players traveling from different parts of the country to participate, the festival also demonstrates the potential of sports events to bring people and opportunities into the province.
As the Chess Festival continues to grow, organizers hope it will provide more local players with the experience and support needed to pursue competitive chess beyond the provincial level.
