PLAYING face-to-face for the first time, the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates had their best start at the 6th Conference of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP).

With Pasig City hosting PCAP’s so-called three-day Chess Festival 2022 starting on Friday, the Surigao Checkmaters went berserk, sweeping their first three opponents ― the International Master Barlo Nadera-led Palawan Queen's Gambit, fellow Mindanao’s Cagayan de Oro Higalas and the Cebu City Maches ― en route to a perfect 3-0 record.

Composed of board one Lennon Hart Salgados, brd 2 Kevin Mirano, brd 3 Jessa Lisondra, brd 4 Rey Urbiztondo, brd 5 Antonio Chavez Jr, brd 6 Rhenz Auza and brd 7 Fide Master Vince Alaan, the Checkmaters are currently locked in a tough Sunday battle with the south's top gun and former PCAP champion Iloilo Kisela Knights of Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio Jr.

“We’re lucky to have won 3/3 like the teenagers of yesteryears in a national team championship. Everybody is excited to play because it’s the first over-the-board games since PCAP’s inception late in 2020,” Surigao’s team-playing owner Urbiztondo told Gold Star Daily.

The country’s first and only professional chess league is conducting its grandiose festival at the Estancia Mall in Capitol Commons Pasig City on Sept.23-25.

PCAP founding president Atty. Paul Elauria said the three-day hostilities hosted by Mayor Sotto and the newly-crowned PCAP GM Wesley So Cup champion Pasig Pirates will also serve as part of the opening weekend of the PCAP Third Conference.

PCAP has 24-member teams divided into two divisions, the Northern Division and Southern Division.

The Northern Division teams are the San Juan Predators, Laguna Heroes, Pasig Pirates, Caloocan Load Manna Knights, Manila Indios Bravos, Rizal Batch Towers, Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, Cavite Spartans, Olongapo Rainbow Seven, Mindoro Tamaraws, Cagayan Kings, and Isabela Knights of Alexander.

While the Southern Division includes the Iloilo Kisela Knights, Davao Eagles, Negros Kingsmen, Camarines Soaring Eagles, Palawan Queen’s Gambits, Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, Toledo City Trojans, Cebu City Machers, Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental, Zamboanga Sultans, PCL, and Tacloban Vikings.

The tournament is sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) and supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).