AQ PRIME International Open 2026
AQ PRIME International Open 2026 is an international FIDE-rated nine-round event organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines under the auspices of the ASEAN Chess Confederation. The regulations describe the wider event window from November 17 arrival through November 24 departure; the tournament playing program itself runs from November 18–23, which is used for the MyChess.Events dates.
The standard tournament uses a 9-round Swiss at 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move, with possible title norms depending on the final field. The event publishes both Open and Challenger participation conditions, direct NM titles/norms for designated standard placings, category prizes and strict fair-play provisions including an electronic-device depository and metal-detector controls.
International participation is supported by official accommodation packages and organizer-provided NAIA airport transfers. GM entry is free and qualifying grandmasters can receive free board and lodging, while other entrants pay section-specific fees plus the published registration/accreditation charge. The regulations do not state one single total cash prize fund, so the import prize field is intentionally left blank rather than manufacturing a total from the individual prize lists.
📌 Event Details
AQ PRIME International Open 2026 is scheduled for November 18–23, 2026 in Quezon City, Philippines. The verified event facts, playing format, rating status and venue are summarized here.
| Event Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament | AQ PRIME International Open 2026 |
| 📅 Playing Dates | November 18–23, 2026 |
| 🧳 Arrival / Departure | November 17 arrival; November 24 departure |
| 📍 Location | Quezon City, Philippines |
| 🏨 Venue | Quezon City M.I.C.E. Center – Quezon City Hall Compound, Elliptical Road, Diliman |
| 🏛️ Organizer | National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) under ASEAN Chess Confederation |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round Swiss |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90+30 |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated; possible title norms |
| ⏰ Default Time | 30 minutes |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The main event is a 9-round FIDE Swiss, played at 90+30 with a 30-minute default and possible title norms.
| Stage / Rule | Information |
|---|---|
| System | 9-round Swiss using Swiss-Manager |
| Time control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move 1 |
| Title norms | Possible depending on the number and composition of titled players |
| Default time | 30 minutes |
| Withdrawals | Two defaults/no-shows are treated as withdrawal |
| Tie-breaks | AROC Cut 1; Buchholz Cut 1; Buchholz; Direct Encounter; number of wins including forfeits |
🏆 Prize Fund
The regulations publish substantial Open and Challenger prize tables and NM title/norm awards, but do not provide a single combined headline total.
| Prize Category | Award / Details |
|---|---|
| Open Standard | Champion ₱305,000; 2nd ₱122,000; 3rd ₱91,500; 4th ₱40,000; 5th ₱30,000; continuing to 10th |
| Open category prizes | Senior 60+, Lady, Junior, Youth, foreign male/female, unrated, U1700, U1900 and U2100 |
| Challenger | 1st ₱60,000; 2nd ₱40,000; 3rd ₱30,000; prizes through 20th plus multiple category awards |
| Title awards | Direct NM titles for the highest standard placings and NM norms for additional specified places |
| Import note | No single headline total prize fund is explicitly published in the regulations |
🧩 Sections / Groups
Open and Challenger divisions have separate fees and prize structures, while Filipino players have dedicated domestic terms.
| Section / Group | Eligibility / Details |
|---|---|
| Open | International standard section; $250 international entry fee |
| Challenger | Separate Challenger division; $60 entry fee |
| Filipino players | Published domestic standard-event fee is $100 |
📅 Schedule
The broader program begins with arrival on November 17, tournament play runs November 18–23, and departure is November 24.
| Day / Stage | Time / Details |
|---|---|
| Nov 17 | Arrival/check-in after 14:00; technical meeting 20:00 |
| Nov 18 | Opening ceremony and Round 1 |
| Nov 19–22 | Rounds 2–7 according to the official daily schedule |
| Nov 23 | Rounds 8–9 and closing ceremony |
| Nov 24 | Departure at 12:00 |
📝 Registration
Registration requires a valid FIDE ID, passport details for international participants, advance payment and adherence to the October deadlines.
| Registration Item | Details |
|---|---|
| International Open | US$250 per player |
| Challenger | US$60 |
| Filipino players | US$100 standard-event entry; regulations state no registration fee for Filipino players |
| Participant/accompanying registration | US$110 including accreditation and NAIA airport transfers |
| Deadline | October 15, 2026 |
| Late registration | US$50 penalty |
| FIDE ID | A valid FIDE ID is required |
| Main contact | ncfpchess@gmail.com |
👥 Organizer
NCFP organizes the event under ASEAN Chess Confederation auspices, with Enrica Armenta, IA Reden Cruz and GM Jayson Gonzales listed in key roles.
| Organizer Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏛️ Organizer Name | National Chess Federation of the Philippines |
| 👤 Secretariat | NA/NI WNM Enrica Armenta |
| ✉️ Email | ncfpchess@gmail.com |
| 📞 Phone / WhatsApp | +63 908 771 7066 |
| 👤 Chief Arbiter | NI / IA Reden A. Cruz |
| 👤 Tournament Director | FST / GM Jayson O. Gonzales |
📍 Venue
The Quezon City Hall M.I.C.E. complex is used for venue mapping; players should follow any final organizer venue notice.
| Venue Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏨 Venue | Quezon City M.I.C.E. Center |
| 📍 Full Address | Quezon City Hall Compound, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila 1101, Philippines |
| 🧭 Latitude / Longitude | 14.64678, 121.04992 (Quezon City Hall/M.I.C.E. complex) |
🚆 How to Get There
NAIA airport transfers are explicitly included in the organizer’s international logistics package.
| Transport Option | Details |
|---|---|
| ✈️ Airport | Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA/MNL) is the official arrival airport in the regulations. |
| 🚐 Official transfer | The organizer provides airport-to-hotel and return transfers for registered participants/accompanying persons. |
| 📧 Flight details | Arrival/departure information should be sent by October 20, 2026. |
| 🚕 Local transport | Taxi/ride-hailing from the official hotel to the Quezon City Hall/M.I.C.E. area is practical if shuttle arrangements are not used. |
🏨 Accommodation
Official hotel accommodation is mandatory through the organizer and is priced as complete seven-night packages.
| Hotel / Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Official hotel | The regulations state that the official hotel will be announced later and that participants/accompanying persons must book through the organizer. |
| Single room package | US$840 per person for the whole event / 7 nights |
| Double sharing | US$665 per person for the whole event / 7 nights |
| Triple sharing | US$525 per person for the whole event / 7 nights |
| GM support | Free board and lodging is provided for GMs, with priority to GMs rated above 2500 in a double room; lower-rated GM support is negotiable. |
ℹ️ Other Information
The regulations also address visas, dress code, electronic-device controls, appeals and international title conditions.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa | Invitation letters are available; passport copy and visa form were requested by September 30 for visa-support processing. |
| Dress code | Smart casual or formal attire is required in the tournament hall. |
| Electronic devices | Electronic equipment is prohibited in the playing hall; a depository is provided before the metal detectors. |
| Appeals | Written protest within one hour, accompanied by a refundable US$200 deposit. |
🔗 Official Resources
The links below are the primary official or organizer-published sources for AQ PRIME International Open 2026; players should recheck them shortly before travel for late changes.
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| FIDE calendar | FIDE event listing |
Organizer
♟️ About National Chess Federation of the Philippines
National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) is the national governing body for chess in the Philippines. Established in 2000, the federation represents the country within the International Chess Federation (FIDE). It also works with the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission. NCFP manages the national rating and membership structure, selects Philippine national teams, sanctions tournaments, and coordinates major domestic championships.
The federation oversees national championships, youth and schools competitions, age-group events, senior chess, Olympiad qualification, FIDE-rated tournaments, arbiter development, and grassroots programs. Moreover, it works with regional organizers across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Its tournament system creates pathways from local qualification events to national finals and international representation. NCFP also administers Philippine FIDE IDs and supports organizers seeking international rating for their events.
Hon. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. remains Chairman and President of NCFP in 2026. Meanwhile, GM/FST Jayson Gonzales is one of the federation’s principal operational leaders and is identified in current 2026 sources as its CEO and Secretary General. The federation has maintained a particularly active program during 2026. Highlights include the Philippine National Chess Championship, nationwide elimination tournaments, national youth events, a new grassroots development program, and preparation of Philippine teams for major international competitions.
📜 History and National Role
NCFP emerged in 2000 during a restructuring of organized chess in the Philippines. FIDE formally confirmed the federation as its Philippine member at the FIDE General Assembly in Istanbul that November.
Since then, NCFP has served as the country’s official international chess federation. Its responsibilities include national-team selection, membership administration, FIDE registration, tournament sanctioning, and coordination with government sports institutions.
The federation operates from the Philsports Complex in Pasig City, which has remained its long-term administrative base.
In addition, NCFP maintains cooperation with local clubs, academies, provincial sports offices, schools, and independent organizers. This network allows the federation to run qualification events across different parts of the archipelago.
🏆 Philippine National Championships
The Philippine National Chess Championship remains one of NCFP’s most important elite competitions.
The 2026 championship took place from June 25 to July 2 at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence in Quezon City. The Open championship, known as the Battle of the Grandmasters, featured 14 players in a round-robin format.
IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia won the national title with an unbeaten 9.5/13. GM Darwin Laylo finished second with 9 points, while IM Michael Concio Jr. took third with 8.5.
The women’s selection competition was also highly competitive. Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian finished first, ahead of WFM Shania Mae Mendoza. The tournament also formed part of the national-team qualification process for the 2026 Chess Olympiad.
🎓 Youth and Grassroots Development
Youth development remains a major part of NCFP’s national program.
The federation organizes National Youth and Schools Championships, age-group qualifiers, regional elimination events, and national finals. These tournaments provide competitive pathways for children from different provinces and cities.
In 2026, NCFP also worked with the Philippine Sports Commission on the Batang Pinoy Chess Henyo Grassroots Program. The initiative selected 36 promising young players from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The program focuses on children in younger age groups and provides structured training. Therefore, it creates an early pathway toward future national-team participation.
NCFP also supports school and youth competitions through cooperation with local government units, educational organizations, and regional chess groups.
🌍 International Chess and National Teams
NCFP selects and prepares Philippine representatives for major international events. These include the FIDE Chess Olympiad, Asian championships, ASEAN competitions, World Youth events, and regional tournaments.
National qualification events play an important role in this process. For example, the 2026 Battle of the Grandmasters and Women Selection helped determine players for the Philippine Olympiad squads.
The federation also works with the Asian Chess Federation on international competitions hosted in the Philippines. Recent programs have included ASEAN championships, regional title events, and international seminars.
Philippine players continue to compete successfully abroad. In August 2026, GM Daniel Quizon won the Standard Open at the Bangkok Summer International Chess Open.
🏛️ Arbiter and Tournament Development
NCFP also develops tournament officials and arbiters.
Together with the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE, the federation organized two Internet-based FIDE Arbiters’ Seminars in 2025. Dozens of Philippine arbiters participated, with successful candidates earning FIDE Arbiter norms.
The federation’s tournament administration team includes experienced international arbiters, national arbiters, pairings officials, and technical staff.
This technical structure supports the growing number of FIDE-rated events across the Philippines. Moreover, NCFP membership and FIDE registration allow local players to enter internationally rated competitions throughout the country.
♟️ National Tournament Activity in 2026
NCFP has maintained an extensive tournament calendar in 2026.
The Philippine National Chess Championship Eliminations have been organized in several regions. Events in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao give qualified players opportunities to advance toward the national championship structure.
The federation also sanctioned and supported numerous FIDE-rated Opens organized by local chess clubs and academies.
In August, NCFP organized the WR Chess Bughouse Open Championship in Quezon City. The federation also continued national seniors, youth, schools, and regional competition during the year.
This combination of elite championships and regional qualification events allows NCFP to maintain activity across several competitive levels.
🏛️ Organization and Leadership
Prospero A. Pichay Jr. serves as Chairman and President of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.
GM/FST Jayson Gonzales plays a central operational role. Current 2026 reports identify him as NCFP Secretary General, while federation tournament documents also describe him as Chief Executive Officer.
Gonzales is a Grandmaster and FIDE Senior Trainer. He is also closely involved in national championships, national-team preparation, and grassroots development.
The federation’s secretariat handles membership, FIDE IDs, registrations, tournament inquiries, and communication with players and organizers.
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