97-year-old to compete in Marikina chessfest

(UPDATE) At age 97, Domingo Santos still hangs out at chess hubs and nooks in Marikina City, ready to play a friendly game of chess with anyone who comes along.

Santos, the oldest active chess player in Marikina City and probably in the country, have enlisted to compete in the "March to Remember" rapid chess tournament on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at the QGym in Concepcion Dos, Marikina City.

Popularly known as "Tatay Domeng," Santos vowed to perform well in the one-day tournament that is open to all Marikina City residents, free of charge.

Organized by the Marikina Chess Association (MCA), the tournament will have a time control of 15 minutes plus 2 seconds increment and is limited to the first 300 participants only.

"It will be a great inspiration to all of us that Tatay Domeng is playing in the tournament. He is not only oldest active chess player in Marikina but also the most respected," said MCA president Johnny "Joel" Gaudia.

Gaudia has invited Senator Koko Pimetel as guest of honor during the opening ceremony along with Rep. Stella Quimbo, former mayor Del De Guzman and former lawmaker Miro Quimbo.

Also competing are Woman National Master Antonella Berthe Racasa, April Joy Ramos, Adrian Alarcon, Kyz Llantada, Noel Geronimo, Tristan Jared Cervero, Sol Tiamzon, Edwin Tendecia, Michael Angelo Angeles, Clord Bragais and Carl Jaedrianne Ancheta, among others.

Gaudia said the champion will win P7,000 while the runner-up will take home P5,000. The third and fourth placers will claim P3,000 and P2,000, respectively, while the fifth to seventh placers will get P1,000 each.

The 8th to 20th placers will receive P500 each while the 21st to 50th placers will take home a 5-kilogram sack of rice each.

Special prizes will be given away for the top under-14, under-12, under-10 and above-60 players.

The top performing player with disability, female player, youngest player and oldest player will also receive special awards.

The tournament director is Isagani de Ramos and the chief arbiter is Ranier Pascual.