Laguna Heroes has won the Philippines’ first professional chess championship tournament organized by the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP).
The Northern Division team from Laguna province made history as the first-ever champions of the newly established PCAP after besting the Southern Division team of Camarines Soaring Eagles in the All-Filipino Conference Grand Finals held on April 3, 2021.
The Laguna Heroes took the championship title at the end of the tourney’s 6,000 games played by 24 participating teams.
The 8-member championship team includes GM Rogelio Barcenilla, FM Austin Jacob Literatus, Karen Jeane Enriquez (L), FM Jose Efren Bagamasbad (S), GM John Paul Gomez (HG), Vince Angelo Medina (HG), Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo (HG), and Arjie Bayangat (HG).
The PCAP will next hold the Reinforced Conference, to be called the Wesley So Cup in honor of the Filipino-American Super GM who is now considered the rival of World No. 1 ranked chess player from Norway, Magnus Carlsen, and the current leader of the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour 2021 after winning two tournaments.
An All-Star Game is scheduled to be played in May ahead of the Wesley So Cup.
Palawan’s Queen’s Gambit, the Philippines’ 1st All-Female Pro Chess team, also made its debut at the PCAP tournament.
SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below to Laguna Heroes for winning the Philippines’ 1st professional chess championship tourney!
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