Inaugural Linasan Chessfest Set Feb. 14-16 in Taculing

The Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) starts 2026 with “a big ang fabulous” 1st Linasan Chess Festival which will be part of Barangay Taculing’s Annual Charter Day celebration.

In a post by Liam K Devlin and seeded by Brgy. Kagawad and chess enthusiast and promoter Sir Rudy Toledo, the tournament was conceptualized by Brgy. Taculing’s Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials led by their chairperson Bea Kyshia Pabular.

The event is fully supported by the Barangay Council led by Punong Barangay and Bacolod City ABC President Lady Gles Pallen, a staunch supporter of sports not only in Taculing but as a long serving ABC President and an elected Secretary of the National ABC Secretariat as well, the Devlin post said.

The chess event has five categories: 13 years old and below for Boys and Girls; 17 years old and below for Boys and Girls; and the Open category for all chess players in Negros Island and the neighboring provinces.

“This chess event will be handled by our President NM/FA Kgd. Rodolfo (Rudy) W. Toledo… who brought numerous accolades here and outside the country and our Chairman of the Board, businessman par excellence and a no nonsense political luminary Mr. Ricardo (Cano Gwapo) Tan, whose brainchild chess tournament Ryan Rupert Tan Memorial Chess Championship produced some of the best and brightest local chess masters in Negros Occidental. (Cano Gwapo Tan) is now a well-known successful businessman with businesses the most notable of which is the Campuestuhan Highland Resort,” the pist added.

All details are available in the promotional tarp and in social media postings. Those interested have until February 10, 2026 to register and be a part of the forthcoming exciting tournament, with lots of cash prizes for the winners.*