Koronadal City reinforced its commitment to youth development and sports excellence as it hosted the National 9 Districts Rapid Chess Tournament 2026 at the Koronadal City Hall Lobby, bringing together talented young players from across Mindanao.
The one-day chess competition was organized through a partnership between the One Chess Movement, the Koronadal Chess Club, and the City Government of Koronadal. The event aimed to discover and nurture young chess talents from the nine districts of the region.
City Leaders Show Full Support
Mayor Erlinda Bing Araquil, Vice Mayor Maria Ester Catorce, and city councilors expressed their full support for the tournament. SK Federation Chairman on Committee on Sports and Youth Charles Ronn Trinidad delivered welcome remarks emphasizing the city dedication to youth sports development.
Koronadal Chess Club President Brian Placer announced cash prizes, trophies, and medals across multiple categories. The Team Dalawahan category (2000 average rating) offers P20,000 for the champion, P10,000 for the runner-up, and P7,000 for third place.
Prize Categories
The Open category winners receive P8,000 (champion), P5,000 (runner-up), and P3,000 (third place). The Junior category offers P1,000, P800, and P700 for top finishers, while the Kiddies division awards P1,000, P800, and P700 respectively.
Chess as Youth Development Platform
The tournament reflects Koronadal City broader strategy of using sports for youth empowerment and community building. By hosting national-level competitions, the city positions itself as a hub for athletic and intellectual talent in the Soccsksargen region.
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