To promote chess as a sport, cultivate strategic thinking and a competitive spirit among the youth, and strengthen cultural ties between the Philippines and China, the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI) once again partnered with the Eugene Torre Chess Foundation (ETCF) for the “CFBCI Chess Tournament 2025.” This annual event not only welcomes students from Chinese schools but also extends invitations to participants from Filipino public and private institutions, creating a meaningful platform for mutual exchange and friendly competition through the timeless game of chess.
On 04 October 2025, the grand opening ceremony was held at the CFBCI 8th-floor auditorium and was graciously hosted by Ms. Mex Bausa, CFBCI English Secretary. This year’s tournament features a strong lineup of participating schools from both sectors. The competition adopts a Grand Prix points system for 15-minute rapid matches, divided into three divisions: Elementary (Grades 4–6), Junior High (Grades 7–9), and Senior High (Grades 10–12). Each school may field one team per category, composed of two to three players, competing across six intense rounds.
CFBCI Executive Vice President Gerald Uy Chan delivered an inspiring welcome message, recalling Grandmaster Eugene Torre’s induction into the World Chess Hall of Fame — the first Asian to achieve this distinction. He reminded young players that “future chess grandmasters may very well be among you,” urging them to pursue excellence with passion and perseverance. Drawing a powerful metaphor, he said, “Life is like a chess game — requiring careful planning, courageous thinking, and embracing challenges. A good game isn’t decided by a single move; it’s about constantly seeking the next best step.”
ETCF Secretary General Alex B. Marquez then introduced Grandmaster Eugene Torre, highlighting his illustrious career, from winning a silver medal at the 21st Chess Olympiad in Nice, France at age 22 to his historic induction into the Hall of Fame in 2021. In his address, Torre underscored the values of discipline, perseverance, and holistic well-being, stating that “competition reveals gaps, cultivates a competitive spirit, and fosters mutual learning.”
Under the supervision of Chief Arbiter Marlon Bernardino, the tournament kicked off with great excitement as players showcased remarkable focus, strategy, and sportsmanship. Since its establishment in 2014, the CFBCI Chess Tournament has grown in both scale and prestige, nurturing not only talented players but also well-rounded thinkers, proving that every move, on the board and in life, can lead to greatness.
菲華工商總會訊：本會為推廣國際象棋運動，培養青少年戰略思維與競技精神，並促進菲中兩國文化交流與友誼，定期聯合尤金·托雷國際象棋基金會（Eugene Torre Chess Foundation）共同舉辦《工商盃》國際象棋比賽。除了邀請各華校學生參加以外，還特別函請菲公立學校和私校的學生參加，希望藉此互相切磋棋藝的交流平台，以棋會友。
二○二五《工商盃》國際象棋比賽開幕儀式，於十月四日（星期六）上午八時，假本會八樓禮堂隆重舉行。本屆參賽學校陣容堅強，涵蓋多所知名華校與菲律濱公私立學校，包括：聖公會中學、尚一中學、中西學院、嘉南中學、中正學院、新生佳音學院、馬尼剌愛國中學、計順市菲華中學、菲律濱基督教靈惠學院、基中書院、晨光中學、北黎剎育仁中學、基立學院、義光基督學院，以及Bagong Silangan High School、La Trinidad College、Don Alejandro Science Tech High School和Saint Mary’s Angels College of Valenzuela。比賽採用Grand Prix積分制度與十五分鐘快棋賽制，分為小學組（四至六年級）、初中組（七至九年級）及高中組（十至十二年級）三組進行六輪對戰。各校每組可派出一隊（2至3人）參賽。
開幕典禮由本會執行副理事長曾國強致歡迎詞，他提到四年前尤金·托雷榮登「世界象棋名人堂」，成為首位獲此殊榮的亞洲人，象徵菲律濱在國際象棋舞台的重要地位。他鼓勵在場學生：「未來的國際象棋大師，很可能就在你們之中。年齡從來不是限制，只要有熱情與堅持，每一步棋都能走向卓越。」
他亦以象棋作為人生比喻：「人生如棋，需步步為營，勇於思考與挑戰。好棋不止一著，永遠要追求更好的下一步。」他勉勵所有選手秉持求知與進取的精神，在比賽中磨練技藝，邁向未來更高的舞台。
尤金·托雷國際象棋基金會秘書長Alex B. Marquez介紹尤金‧托雷大師：當年年僅二十二歲的尤金·托雷大師在法國尼斯舉行的第廿一屆國際象棋奧林匹克比賽中贏得銀牌。他被公認為菲律濱八零年代和九零年代最強的國際象棋棋手，曾在第廿三屆國際象棋奧林匹克賽中為菲律濱效力。二零二一年，經國際象棋聯合會批准，他有幸成為第一位躋身世界國際象棋名人堂的亞洲人。
尤金‧托雷大師致詞時則向大家強調了作為運動員保持良好身心健康的重要性，並指出，遵守紀律是國際象棋的核心，在你所做的每一件事中，都要以堅韌和紀律來完成。他同時勉勵道，有比賽就有競爭，通過競爭找到差距，培養競爭意識，找到自身的不足，並相互促進學習。最後預祝參賽選手都能取得好成績。
隨後，由尤金·托雷國際象棋基金會首席仲裁員Marlon Bernardino宣佈比賽規則，並在主辦單位與教練團隊的指導下，選手們即刻就位，展開一場場精彩對決。無論是個人賽還是團體戰，皆展現出年輕棋手們縝密的戰略思維與臨場應變能力，贏得評審與觀眾的一致讚賞。