Filipino players pursue GM and WGM titles at ASEAN chess championships

Filipino chess players will seek Grandmaster (GM) and Woman Grandmaster (WGM) titles when the 7th ASEAN Individual Chess Championships takes place at the AMORAP in Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental, from November 2-10.

The host country's GM hopefuls include International Masters Jem Garcia, Pau Bersamina, Michael Concio, Jr., MJ Bacojo and Christian Gian Karlo Arca, alongside FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri. They are seeking to follow Daniel Quizon, who earned his GM title at the Budapest Olympiad two years ago.

In the women's competition, 18-year-old Ruelle Canino is pursuing the WGM title after earning her Woman International Master title at the previous edition, also held in Misamis Occidental. She finished runner-up to Russia's International Master Evgenija Ovod, who is returning to defend her championship.

Other Filipino WGM hopefuls include Jan Jodilyn Fronda, Shania Mae Mendoza and Mhage Sebastian. The field also includes WGMs Janelle Mae Frayna, Vietnam's Nguyen Thi Mai Hung and Hoang Thi Bao Tram, and Mongolia's Altan-Ulzii Enkhtuul.

The NCFP will also host the Misamis Occidental Philippine International Championship at the AMORAP from November 10-17, followed by the AQ Prime International Open Chess Championship in Quezon City from November 17-25. Both events offer GM, WGM, IM and WIM norms, as well as direct FM and WFM titles.