Virgilio Torralba Reyes

Virgilio Torralba Reyes, affectionately known as Virgil, and in his youth as Tikboy, passed away on February 6, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 72. Born in Quezon City, Philippines, Virgil lived a life rooted in faith, service, discipline, and an enduring devotion to the game of chess.

Virgil received his early education at Quiapo Parochial School, now known as The Nazarene Catholic School, and later attended San Beda University, a premiere Catholic educational institution in Manila, Philippines. He eventually moved to San Diego, California, with his mother and brothers, where he would begin a life of service to his adopted country.

On January 1979, Virgil enlisted in the United States Navy, serving on active duty until August 1990. He completed training at Hospital Corps School and Field Medical Service School, earning the Primary Specialty Number HM-8404, Medical Field Service Technician, and was awarded the Good Conduct Award. Following his active-duty service, Virgil continued his commitment as a Naval Reserve Hospital Corpsman, and he was recalled to serve in Operation Desert Storm during the 1991 Gulf War, providing critical medical care in the field to U.S. Marine Corps units. He received an Honorable Discharge, reflecting his professionalism, discipline, and dedication to service.

Following his military service, Virgil made Las Vegas, Nevada, his home, where he devoted his life to what many came to know as his true calling, the game of chess.

Renowned chess coach and 2006 Nevada State Chess Champion Virgil Reyes was a lifelong devotee of the royal game who competed with distinction at both the national and international levels. Over the course of his career, he won more than 800 US Chess Federation, sanctioned games, achieving an expert-level peak regular rating of 2147 in 2016. In internationally rated competition, he earned a peak FIDE standard rating of 2028, highlighted by his 2015 victory over a FIDE Master at the Downtown Chess Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada. Known for his strategic brilliance and tactical precision, Virgil brought passion, sportsmanship, and deep respect to every match, earning admiration from all who faced him across the board.

For 23 years, Virgil served as a chess coach at St. Viator Parish School. He also taught students at Our Lady of Las Vegas School, A-Tech High School, and many other schools throughout the community. Through private and group lessons, tournament coaching, and constant encouragement, he helped countless students grow not only as chess players, but as disciplined, thoughtful individuals. He attended their tournaments, celebrated their victories, guided them through their losses, and took great pride in their growth. He loved his chess students deeply.

Even in his final days, Virgil continued to think of his students, offering advice and guidance for the upcoming All Catholic Schools Chess Tournament. To many, he was more than a teacher. He was a mentor, a steady presence, and to generations of students, simply the King of Chess. He will be remembered as kind, funny, meticulous, and endlessly patient.

Above all, Virgil spoke often of love. Love for chess, love for learning, and love for anything pursued with passion and purpose. In his final days, knowing that his time on earth was drawing to a close, he shared that if he were to leave this world feeling what he felt in that moment, the overwhelming love surrounding him, he would be a happy man. He was deeply moved and comforted by the outpouring of love from his students, former students who had grown into adulthood, their families, and the school communities he served. Rooted in his Catholic faith, Virgil found peace in that love, trusting that it was a reflection of God’s grace and a sign that his life’s work had been fulfilled. He departed this life grateful, at peace, and surrounded by the fruits of a life lived in service to others.

Virgil is survived by his father, Benjamin Reyes, of St. Louis, Missouri; his brother, Jesus Torralba Reyes, of Las Vegas, Nevada; and his daughter, Virginia Amanda Torralba Reyes, of North Carolina. He was preceded in death by his mother, Alita Torralba, and his younger brother, Edward Torralba Reyes, of Los Angeles, California.

A Memorial Service will be held at Southern Nevada State Veterans Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Memorial Drive, Boulder City, Nevada 89005 on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 1:20 p.m. Interment will take place immediately following the service. All are welcome. Upon conclusion of the interment, a reception will be held at the Elk’s Lodge in Boulder City, 1217 Boulder City Pkwy, Boulder City, NV 89005

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Viator Parish School Chess Club, in honor of Virgil’s lifelong dedication to his students and to the game he loved.