IN GOD WE TRUST
Cebuano FM Mario Mangubat to join World Senior Chess Championship in Serbia
Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is set to compete in the FIDE World Senior Chess Championships in Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia , from November 2 to 15, 2026.
SPORTS
8/25/20262 min read
Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is set to compete in the FIDE World Senior Chess Championships in Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia , from November 2 to 15, 2026.
" I will just try my very best and we'll see what will happen," the 67-year-old Mangubat said on Tuesday.
Mangubat, the pride of Minglanilla , Cebu is set to embark on a journey to become the next Filipino International Master.
He will carry the country flag as he takes on some of the world's best senior chess Grandmasters in Serbia. These will include Super Grandmaster John Nunn, a long-time British champion and number one player.
" We all know how difficult it is to become an IM. But with the support of my family and sponsors like Minglanilla mayor Lheslen Abella Enad, NCFP Chairman/President Cong. Prospero Pichay Jr., NCFP Secretary General and Corporate Secretary GM Jayson Gonzales, PSC Chairman John Patrick Gregorio, PSC Commissioner Ed Hayco , POC President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino and GAB Chairman Atty. Francisco J. Rivera , I can reach my dream," he added.
It shall be recalled that Mangubat won the 65 above category in the Rapid event claiming the gold medal and third place in the Blitz event to bring home the bronze medal in the 2024 FIDE World Senior Chess Championship in Porto Santo, Portugal.
A year later, Mangubat won the silver medal in the combined 50 and 65 over category of the Blitz event of the 2025 FIDE World Senior Chess Championship in Gallipoli, Italy.
Another Filipino entry Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. won the gold medal.
Mangubat was a Cebu prodigy.He was the youngest chess champion, winning an open tournament at the age of 10.
By the age of 20, Mangubat made waves in the Philippine sports scene when he upset Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre and National Master Glenn Bordonada in the 1979 Philippine National Chess Championships that was held in Intramuros, Manila en route his coveted National Master title.
Mangubat won against Torre using the white pieces after 36 moves of Sicilian defense in the third round of the tournament that resulted in the latter's (Torre)dimming his chances with a special bonus.
The Toyota car dealer Autosphere announced a special bonus for the tournament that anybody who wins all his games will receive a brand new Toyota Corolla.
" I was so happy beating Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre during the 1979 Philippine National Chess Championship as well National Master Glenn Bordonada," recalled Mangubat who also won 1 gold and 1 silver in the Senior division of the 19th ASEAN + Age Groups Chess Championships held in Davao City in 2018.
Mangubat also won the silver medal in the 2023 Asian Seniors Chess Championships held at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay City.
Before the 2026 FIDE World Senior Chess Championship in Serbia, Mangubat was also playing in the International Chess Tournament XXXIV Erkel Ferenc Memorial to be held on October 24 to 30,2026 at Erkel Ferech Highschool in Gyula, Hungary.
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