BONJOUR.

WGM Marie Rachel Sebag, the top female chess player of France, is joining Southern Conference champion Camarines Soaring Eagles in the coming Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Wesley So Cup chess championships starting May 15.

A three-time European Youth champion from 1998 to 2002, Sebag became the first foreign player to confim participation in the prestigious 24-team tournament being held in honor of Filipino-born world champiohip candidate Wesley So.

“I am excited to play in PCAP. Engr. Jojo Buenaventura, the team owner of Camarines Soaring Eagles, directly contacted me to join his team for the Wesley So Cup,” said Sebag in a message.

“I really enjoy playing with a team, so I grabbed the opportunity to enter PCAP. I hope we will get the title (champion) in this second conference.”

Buenaventura, on the other hand, welcomed Sebag’s addition to the team.

“We cannot believe she (Sebag) will accept our invitation. The whole team is very happy and excited in the coming PCAP tournament, Buenaventura told People’s Tonight.

“With her, the team will become even more formidable. God willing, we will get the championship.”

Sebag will join United States-based GM Mark Paragua, NM Carlo Lorena, NM Ronald Llavanes, NM Virgen Gil Ruaya, Ellan Asuela, Ezraline Alvarez, Christian Mark Daluz, Virgenie Ruaya and Raul Fernandez in the Camarines team.

Sebag, who became a GM in 2008, is considered as one of the strongest female players in Europe.

The 35-year-old campaigner from Paris, France is currently No. 1471 in the FIDE world ranking and No. 32 in the FIDE Top 100 Women as of May 2021.

Her peak ELO rating is 2537 last March, 2013.

She was also ranked No. 3 in the FIDE Top Girls in 2006, No. 7 in the FIDE Top 50 Women in October 2007 and No. 7 in FIDE Top 100 Women in July 2008.

She received her WIM title in 2000, IM title in 2003 and GM title in May 2008.

She is also a two-time French champion.

In 2007, she decisively defeated former FIDE world champion Rustam Kasimdzhanov.

After reaching ELO 2533, Sebag became one of the five world’s strongest female players.

In 2012, she also took part in the most popular French TV show, Secret Story.

PCAP President-Commissioner atty. Paul Elauria said all 24 member-teams have until next week to finalize arrangement with their foreign players in time for the opening of the competition fully supported by GM So.

PCAP, the first profesional chess league in Asia, is supported by San Miguel Corporation and sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra,