Meralco Chess Club

Official participants of the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament! ♟️

They will compete from March 28 to April 16, 2026, in Cyprus, with one ultimate goal — to earn the right to challenge GM Gukesh for the World Chess Championship title.

Who’s your pick to win it all? 👑♟️

📸 FIDE

FIDE Rating List – January 1, 2026 ♟️

The Top 10 remains unchanged.
Magnus Carlsen continues his incredible reign at World No. 1, now spanning over 14 years.

Right behind him are Hikaru Nakamura at No. 2 and Fabiano Caruana at No. 3, keeping the pressure at the very top of elite chess.

It’s worth noting that Carlsen first reached the No. 1 spot in January 2010, briefly before Anand reclaimed it. Since July 2011, Magnus has held the top ranking consistently up to today—a level of dominance rarely seen in chess history.

Meanwhile, the current World Champion, Gukesh, remains in the Top 10, holding the No. 10 spot.

History continues to be written. ♟️🔥

📸 FIDE

WFM Jemaicah Yap Mendoza, the 2025 World Youth Chess bronze medalist, is the Philippines' top-ranked Junior girl U16 with a rating of 2057. She is followed by WCM Nika Juris Nicolas (1893) in the number two spot in the FIDE Ratings list of January 2026.

Completing the rankings are #3 Cyrein Jean Borce (1820), #4 Apple Rubin of Toledo City (1816), and #5 Iana Angela Sotaridona of Iloilo (1806).

Rounding out the Top 10 Girls U16.
6. Julie Gelua 1775
7. Khana Kathrine Ventolero 1749
8. Ellaine Summer Abanco 1733
9. Mel Grace Quiachon 1733
10. Ina Grace Caylan 1731

BREAKING NEWS! 🇵🇭IM Christian Gian Karlo Arca (Zamboanga, Philippines) secured the silver medal at the 2025 Eastern Asian Juniors Chess Championships, held from December 23 to 29, 2025 Hong Kong, China.

Following a tie for first place with Mongolian FM Khishigbat Ulziikhishig (both scoring 8/9 points), IM Christian Gian Karlo Arca was awarded the silver medal based on tiebreak criteria at the 2025 the Eastern Asia Juniors Chess Championships. After the tiebreak, it was the Mongolian who claimed the gold medal and the championship title.
CONGRATULATIONS IM Gian ‼️🥈🥈🥈

In another event he entered, IM Christian Gian Karlo Arca placed fifth in the Blitz chess competition of the 2025 Hong Kong International Open Chess Championships.

Laguna's Hannah Rose Ornello won first place in the Girls U18 division at the 10th Johor International Chess Championship. The tournament was held at Fairview International School in Johor Bahru, Malaysia from December 25-31, 2025. Congratulations!

Sana All‼️🏆👍

FM Alekhine Nouri– it's true, 2025 was an exceptionally busy and successful year for BBKing, as he secured multiple strong titles both domestically and internationally.

A showcase of his winning performances and title victories from the year, documented by ChessExplorer PH .

San Carlos Charter Day Tournament (San Carlos City)
Dusit Thani Open (Cebu)
Asian Juniors (Sri Lanka)
National Juniors (Cebu City)
Asenso Ozamiz Gov. Henry Oaminal (Ozamiz City)
Asian Amateur Open Blitz (Hongkong)
6th Asean+ Open Blitz (Ozamiz City)
18th edition Kamatyas Open Chess Festival (Cavite)

Alekhine's victorious campaign was nothing short of dominant—a total sweep of the field, securing victory and the full slate of cash awards.

FM Alekhine’s campaign was marked by strong performances, he consistently finished in the top five, if not winning the title outright.

Ready for your 2026 season, BBKing!

new: Chess Informant 166
Check out this periodical that pros use with pleasure, which is also a must-have for all serious chess students!
https://www.newinchess.com/chess-informant-166

🇵🇭🥉𝗣𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘇𝗲

Pinay woodpushers garnered another bronze at the ASEAN Chess Team Women Rapid event at the , absorbing a semifinal loss against Indonesia, 3.5 - 4.5.

The winning squad is composed of Jan Jodilyn Fronda, Shania Mae Mendoza, Janelle Mae Frayna, Marie Antoinette San Diego, and Bernadette Galas.

This is the third bronze of the country from chess – but the fight is not yet over as the men’s team is currently gunning for gold against Thailand.

📷| Thailand Chess Association