Local favorites Grandmaster John Paul Gomez and International Master Christian Gian Arca expect rough sailing in the 87th Kàlilangan Chess Festival 2026, dubbed as the Manny Pacquiao International Chess Open, where they will meet a tough cast of competitors on Feb. 23-27, 2026 at the Family Country Hotel, General Santos City.
The five-day standard chess competition with a time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment is backed by former Senator Manny Pacquiao, who offers $20,000 to the champion.
Among the early entries are Grandmasters Johan-Sebastian Christiansen of Norway, Pa Iniyan of India, Arkadij Naiditsch of Bulgaria, N R Visakh of India, Li Men Peng of Switzerland, Vitaly Sivuk of Sweden, Platon Galperin of Sweden, Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia, VS Raahul of India, Novendra Priasmoro of Indonesia and Nguyen Doc Hoa of Vietnam.
Also joining are International Masters Haochen Jiang of China, Arif Abdul Hafiz of Indonesia, Jodi Azarya Setyaki of Indonesia and Bala Chandra Prasad Dhulipalla of India as well as Woman International Masters Hagawane Aakansha of India and Furtado Ivana Maria of India.
The tournament director is Orly Ortega while the chief arbiter is International Arbiter James Infiesto, assisted by International Arbiter Michael Joseph Pagaran and Fide Arbiter Margie Narcilla.
Arca, who is based in Zamboanga City, is fresh from winning the 5th Mindanao Chessmates Rapid Chess Open held at the Damosa Market Basket, Lanang, Davao City on Feb. 3, 2025.
Arca is also a Tony Siddayao youth awardee at the Philippine Sportswriter Association Awards Night on Feb. 16, 2026 at Diamond Hotel in Manila.
