Challengers Tournament 2025
- Belize Chess Federation
- Oct 25, 2025
- 3 min read
Challengers Tournament
On the 25th October 2025, the challengers tournament took place at the George Price Center in Belmopan. The top 8 players battle to determine who will face the reigning National Champion, Alfred Awe.
The winner of this event also earns the title of Belize National Master!
National Champion and National Arbiter Alfred Awe served as the tournament director for the event to chose his opponent.
The Road to the Tournament
Players had to earn their place in this tournament through a series of events held throughout 2024-2025.
Seeding:
1st Seed, Nathaniel Reyes (1599)
2nd Seed, Kenneth Perez (1637)
3rd Seed, Roger Canto (1610)
4th Seed, Michael Campos (1623)
5th Seed, Kuang Lin (1586)
6th Seed, Kurtis Valdez (1667)
7th Seed, Charlton Roches (1598)
8th Seed, Kelvin Baizar (1557)
Unfortunately, Kurtis Valdes was unable to added the event.
Highlights of the Tournament
Winners Quarter-Finals
Nathaniel Reyes (BZ) vs Kelvin Baizar (CY) (0-1)
Michael Campos (OW) vs Kuang Lin (BZ) (0-1)
Kenneth Perez (OW) vs Charlton Roches (BZ) (0-1)
The day started with Kelvin, coming in as the lowest seed and rated player, holding Nathaniel off to a draw in their matchup. In their Blitz tiebreak game, Kelvin surprised Reyes and won.
In a dramatic start to the tournament, all the favorites lost their first game and were sent to the losers bracket.
Winners Semi-Finals and Losers Round 1
Kuang Lin (BZ) vs Kelvin Baizar (CY) (0-1)
Roger Canto (CY) vz Charlton Roches (BZ) (1-0)
Michael Campos (OW) vs Nathaniel Reyes (BZ) (1-0)
Kelvin continues his great performance with a win against Kuang. Roger, who received a bye in round 1, defeated Charlton Roches.
Coming in as the top ranked seed, Natheniel Reyes leaves the tournament after a disappointing finish.
Winners Finals and Losers Round 2
Kelvin Baizar vs Roger Canto (1-0)
Charlton Roches vs Michael Campos (0-1)
Kenneth Perez vs Kuang Lin. (0-1)
The lowest rated player Kelvin continues his run by defeating Roger Canto in the winners Finals, he is now just 1 win away from challenging the defending Champion.
Despite playing a great game and having a winning position in both games, time pressure lead him to lose both games and Kenneth Perez is eliminated.
Michael Campos also outplayed Charlton Roches to advance.
Losers Round 3
Michael Campos vs Kuang Lin (1-0)
After losing in round 1 to Kuang Lin, Michael Campos clawed his way up the losers bracket get a rematch against Kuang. Michael then proceeded to outplay Kuang and eliminate him from the tournament.
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Both players reached an equal endgame at move 40 but due to both players having less than 5 minutes on the clock notation was stopped.
Losers Finals
Roger Canto vs Michael Campos (0-1)
Michael Campos completes his gauntlet run by winning Roger Canto and setting up a final match against Kelvin Baizar for the title.
Grand Finals
Kelvin Baizar vs Michael Campos (1-3)
Coming into this match, Michael had played 5 games while Kelvin had cruised to the finals undefeated winning his 3 games. After 7 hours of playing chess, fatigue would be a factor in determining the winner of the event.
Game 1 - Draw
Blitz Tiebreak Game - Draw
The first game between Michael Campos and Kelvin Baizar ended in a draw. The players then proceeded to also draw their blitz tiebreak game. After about 8 hours of chess it was decided that both players will play a best of 3 match on another day to determine who will play against the National Champion.
Game 3 - Campos Win
Game 4 - Campos Win
NM Michael Campos!
With his win, Michael Campos will challenge the defending National Champion, NM Alfred Awe for the title. He also earns the title of National Master!
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