Ricardo Batcho, Franiel Magpily capture crowns in 2025 Luzon leg of national chess eliminations

Miko Domingo

Chess standouts Ricardo Batcho and Franiel Magpily ruled the 2025 National Chess Eliminations Luzon leg, seizing the men’s and women’s titles at Robinsons Magnolia in Quezon City, August 25.

The three-day tournament featured eight rounds under the classical Swiss system format, with a time control of 60 minutes and a 30-second increment. Both Batcho and Magpily rose above the field to emerge as champions.

Caloocan City’s Batcho clinched the men’s crown after splitting the point with Manila’s Lee Roi Palma in the final round, drawing in 32 moves of the Ruy Lopez. The 30-year-old set the tone early with a string of victories that gave him a commanding lead, finishing with a near-perfect 7 points to claim the title and the ₱20,000 top prize.

Palma and Tyrhone Tabernilla followed with 6.5 points each, earning ₱15,000 and ₱10,000, respectively, for second and third place.

In the women’s division, 15-year-old Makati prodigy Magpily capped her run with a 49-move draw against Rohanisa Buto in the final round, holding firm with the black pieces in a solid Sicilian Defense. The Far Eastern University product tallied six wins and two draws, outlasting older, seasoned contenders to secure the title and ₱15,000.

Buto and Angel Gadut rounded out the top three with 6.5 and 6 points, taking home ₱10,000 and ₱8,000, respectively.

With the victories, 38 men’s players and 12 women’s players advanced to the semifinals, where FIDE Masters and International Masters await in the battle for coveted slots in the final selection.