The Palawan–Albay Queens' Gambit is a professional chess club which plays in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) associated with the provinces of Palawan and Albay. It is noted for having an all-female roster in a professional league where most players are male.
 | |
| Sport | Chess |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2020 |
| League | Professional Chess Association of the Philippines |
| Region | South |
| Location | Palawan and Albay |
| Owner | Jojo Mitra |
| Head coach | Susan Neri |
History
editThe Palawan Queens' Gambit was formed as a representative team of the province of Palawan at the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP), the first professional chess league in the Philippines. Owned by Palawan-based businessman, Jojo Mitra they formed an all-female team, and deliberately picked female players at the inaugural PCAP draft.[1][2] Palawan employed Susan Neri, daughter of an Aklan-based national master and international arbiter, as their coach who got enticed with the idea of mentoring an all-female team.[3]
By the Open Conference of the 2022 PCAP season, the team's name was changed to the Palawan–Albay Queens' Gambit.[4]
Roster
editThe following is the Palawan–Albay Queens' Gambit roster for the 2021 PCAP season.
- Marie Antoinette San Diego (WIM)
- Mikee Charlene Suede (WIM)
- Catherine Pereña-Secopito
- Shania Mae Mendoza
- Carmelita Abanes (WNM)
- Cecilia Cuizon (WNM)
- Marife Dela Torre*
- Yanika Eli Seratubias*
- Jesibel Maberit*
- (*) Homegrown players
Coach: Susan Neri
Team image
editThe Palawan–Albay Queens' Gambit is named after the Netflix series, The Queen's Gambit which features a female protagonist.[5] The team features an all-female lineup as a means to give more opportunities for women in the Philippines to play competitive chess.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b Rodriguez, Mia (January 3, 2021). "Meet Palawan Queen's Gambit, a professional all-female chess team". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ "Palawan forms crack "Queens' Gambit" all-women chess team". Palawan News Online. December 22, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ Olivares, Rick (December 30, 2020). "Palawan Queen's Gambit coach Susan Neri: Public service through chess". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ Olivares, Rick (November 10, 2021). "7 teams battle to stay in PCAP playoff contention". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ Saldajeno, Ivan (December 20, 2020). "Palawan Queen's Gambit loaded with chess queens". Dugout Philippines. Retrieved January 3, 2021.