28/08/2026
# MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PLAYERS AS ALICIA ADDS PHILIPPINE YOUTH SELECTION
The week-long celebration of chess in Alicia, Isabela is set to become even more meaningful with the addition of the Philippine Youth Selection, scheduled on September 5 and 6, 2026, at the Alicia Community Center.
The tournament will feature separate divisions for Under-7, Under-9, Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, and Under-17, giving promising young players from across the country another opportunity to compete for the privilege of representing the Philippines internationally.
Winners of the selection will qualify to represent the country in either the 2027 ASEAN Age Group Chess Championships or the Youth Tournament in Europe.
For a young chess player, wearing the Philippine colors is more than an award. It is the result of countless hours of study, practice, and quiet determination, often shared with parents, coaches, schools, and communities that continue to support the journey. This selection provides them with a clear pathway from local competition to the international stage.
The Philippine Youth Selection is an additional event to the four national tournaments already being hosted in Alicia during the Pagay Festival: the National Childrenโs, National Junior, National Womenโs Invitational, and FIDE Classification tournaments. Its inclusion widens the reach of the celebration and opens the door to more young players across six age categories.
The initiative is made possible through the partnership of the Municipality of Alicia, Isabela and the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, with the support of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.
Under the leadership of Mayor Atty. Joel Amos P. Alejandro and NCFP President and Chairman Hon. Prospero A. Pichay Jr., Alicia continues to provide young Filipino players with competitions that lead to real opportunities beyond the national level.
On September 5 and 6, every game will carry more than the hope of winning a title. For the young players seated across the boards, it may be the first important move toward representing the Philippines.
๐ Alicia Community Center, Alicia, Isabela
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*September 5โ6, 2026*
โ๏ธ Categories: U7, U9, U11, U13, U15 and U17
Scan the QR codes on the official poster for NCFP membership and tournament registration.
