IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia and Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian showcased their exceptional chess skills by capturing the prestigious Philippine chess crowns at the 2026 national championship. This exciting event took place from June 25 to July 2 at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence in Quezon City, featuring two main divisions: the Open (Battle of Grandmasters) and the Women’s (Women Selection).
Highlights of the National Championship
The Women’s tournament was particularly significant, as it also served as a qualifier for the upcoming Chess Olympiad, offering two coveted spots on the national team. In the Open section, a competitive 14-player round-robin format with classical time controls was employed. IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, who was the second seed, engaged in a closely contested battle with ninth seed GM Darwin Laylo.
As the tournament progressed into Round 10, Garcia managed to maintain a narrow lead with 7 points from 9 games, sitting just half a point ahead. His position strengthened when Laylo suffered a setback against IM Michael Concio. Although Laylo made a late comeback attempt, he ultimately finished half a point short of victory. Garcia clinched the championship title with an impressive score of 9.5 points from 13 games, remaining the only unbeaten player throughout the event. Concio secured third place with a notable score of 8.5 points out of 13.
The Women Selection division was equally thrilling, featuring an eight-player double round-robin format. In the final round, both Sebastian and WFM Shania Mae Mendoza stood neck and neck with identical scores of 8/13. Sebastian triumphed in this decisive round by defeating WFM Allanney Jia Doroy, while Mendoza could only manage a draw against WFM Cherry Ann Mejia. The competition was fierce, and both WFM Doroy and WFM Bernadette Galas finished with scores of 7.5/14, with Doroy earning the bronze medal due to a higher number of wins.
The closing ceremony of the championship was a grand affair, attended by notable figures in the chess community, including FST/GM Jayson Gonzales, GM Eugene Torre, and NM Jose Rafael “Jojo” Legaspi. They presented awards to the champions and top finishers, celebrating their remarkable achievements in this prestigious national tournament.