Professional Chess Association of the Philippines
Professional chess league in the Philippines
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The Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) is a professional chess league in the Philippines.
Current season, competition or edition: 2026 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines season | |
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| Sport | Chess |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2020 |
| First season | 2021 |
| CEO | Michael Angelo Chua |
| President | Paul Elauria |
| Commissioner | Paul Elauria |
| No. of teams | 16 |
| Country | Philippines |
Most recent champions | 2026 All-Filipino Cup: Pasig City King Pirates |
| Most titles | Pasig City King Pirates (5 titles) |
| Website | |
History
The Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) was formed by Filipino lawyer Paul Elauria who also became the league's first commissioner.[1] The league was launched in 2020, although plans relating to the establishment of the first professional chess league in the Philippines has already been made years ago.[2]
It was formed as a means of livelihood for Filipino chess players, since not all are part of the Philippine national team. It is reportedly the first professional chess league in Southeast Asia with its first season to be held in 2021 with games possibly to be held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] The league was recognized by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), a government body which regulates professional sports in the Philippines, in September 2020.[4] PCAP held its first national try out online through on October 17, 2020.[5]
For the inaugural season slated to start early 2021, 24 teams will participate in the league. The first ever draft was held on December 20, 2020.[6][7]
In March 2021, PCAP secured a sponsorship of the San Miguel Corporation.[8]
The third season shifted to a two conference tournament. The Reinforced Conference was not held.[9]
Teams
There are 16 teams in the PCAP as of the 2026 season, divided into two geographic groups.
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Former teams
- Antipolo Cobras
- Cagayan De Oro
- Caloocan Loadmanna Knights
- Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors
- Davao Chess Eagles
- Iloilo Kisela Knights
- Laguna Heroes (Cabuyao)
- Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors
- Mandaluyong Tigers
- Misamis Occidental Bamboo Knights
- Olongapo Rainbow Team 7
- Pagadian PCL
- Palawan Queens' Gambit
- Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates
- Tacloban Pawnmovers
Including teams on a leave of absence
Guest teams
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Format
Tournaments
The PCAP will have three tournaments or conferences in each season namely the All-Filipino, Reinforced and Open Conferences.[10] Participating teams will be geographic-based, and will represent a particular local government unit although all teams will be privately owned. The participating teams will be divided into two geographic conferences or groups, North and South with teams initially playing other sides within their respective groups before playing against each other in inter-league matches in the elimination round.[11]
- Conferences (Tournaments)
- All-Filipino
- Reinforced
- Open
Players
Teams can have eight to ten players under contract; six of them being regular players. Among the regular players two must be rated players, one must be female, one must be senior and two must be homegrown players. All participating players including participants of the PCAP draft must be licensed by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).[1] A salary cap is imposed to protect the financial viability of the league.[11] For the Reinforced conference, each team can field on foreign player who may fill a slot in all categories except the homegrown category. A rated player may not be recategorized as a homegrown player.[12]
Matches
Each match in the PCAP include seven boards:[11]
| Player category | Boards |
|---|---|
| Homegrown (born or registered in the same city/town the team represents) | 3 |
| Rated | 2 |
| Lady | 1 |
| Senior (age 60+) | 1 |
In a conference, each team plays twice against other teams within their group, and once against teams outside their group.[13]
Champions
Results by season[14]
| Season | Year | Champions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-Filipino | Reinforced | Open (Wesley So Cup) | ||
| 1 | 2021 | Laguna Heroes | Iloilo Kisela Knights | San Juan Predators |
| 2 | 2022 | San Juan Predators | Pasig City King Pirates | Pasig City King Pirates |
| 3 | 2023 | Pasig City King Pirates[9] | Not held | Pasig City King Pirates[15] |
| 4 | 2024 | Manila Indios Bravos | Not held | Manila Indios Bravos |
| 5 | 2025 | Toledo Xignex Trojans | Not held | Manila Loadmanna Knights |
| 6 | 2026 | Pasig City King Pirates | Not held | |