Palawan–Albay Queens' Gambit

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.

Palawan–Albay Queens' Gambit
SportChess
Founded2020
LeagueProfessional Chess Association of the Philippines
RegionSouth
LocationPalawan and Albay
OwnerJojo Mitra
Head coachSusan Neri

History

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The 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

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The 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

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The 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

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Palawan forms crack "Queens' Gambit" all-women chess team". Palawan News Online. December 22, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  3. ^ Olivares, Rick (December 30, 2020). "Palawan Queen's Gambit coach Susan Neri: Public service through chess". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  4. ^ Olivares, Rick (November 10, 2021). "7 teams battle to stay in PCAP playoff contention". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  5. ^ Saldajeno, Ivan (December 20, 2020). "Palawan Queen's Gambit loaded with chess queens". Dugout Philippines. Retrieved January 3, 2021.