OPENING-DAY winners San Juan Predators and Pasig Pirates clash in an early battle of Northern Division favorites in the 2023 PCAP All-Filipino Conference chess team championships.

San Juan and Pasig, which won the last four conferences between them, get the chance to test each other’s mettle early in this prestigious competition organized by the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines and sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx.

San Juan, bannered by Karl Victor Ochoa, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda and IM Ricardo de Guzman. opened its campaign with an easy 18-3 win over Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, while Pasig, led by FM Nelson Mariano III and Kevin Arquero. survived new member Mandaluyong Tigers. 10.5-10.5 (2-1 in Armageddon) on opening day last Saturday.

The Predators will also take on the Tigers while the Pirates will meet former champion Laguna Heroes in the third round later Wednesday.

The Heroes also had a rousing start following a 13.5-7.5 victory over the Rizal Towers.

Cavite Spartans, 11-10 winner over Manila Indios Bravos, and Cagayan Kings, 16-5 victor over Isabela Knights of Alexanader, square off in another featured encounter.

Over at the Southern Division, Negros Kingsmen take on Mindoro Tamaraws in the second round and Davao Eagles in the third round.

With GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. now in the fold, Negros opened its bid for a second straight South title with a dominant 20-1 victory over the Cebu Machers.

Mindoro, led by No. 1 overall pick Denise Sy, dropped its first match 2-19 to Iloilo Kisela Knights.

Davao also hurdled its opening-day assignment with a 15-6 win over the Zamboanga Sultans.

Toledo Trojans, 18.5-2.5 winner over the Tacloban Vikings, play Cebu and Mindoro, Camarines-Iriga Eagles, 11-10 winner over Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, battles Zamboanga and Tacloban.

PCAP, the country’s first professional chess league, is headed by PCAP President-Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria, and Chairman Michael Angelo Chua.

The tournament is sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Atty. Richard Clarin, and supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), led by President-Chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay.

Schedule:

Round 2

North — Mandaluyong vs. Isabela, Cavite vs. Cagayan, Rizal vs. Manila, Quezon City vs. Laguna, Pasig vs. San Juan South — Zamboanga vs. Camarines, Tacloban vs. Surigao, Cebu vs. Toledo, Mindoro vs. Negros, Davao vs.Iloilo.

Round 3

North — San Juan vs. Mandaluyong, Laguna vs. Pasig, Manila vs. Quezon City, Cagayan vs. Rizal, Isabela vs. Cavite.
South — Iloilo vs. Zamboanga, Negros vs. Davao, Toledo vs.Mindoro, Surigao vs. Cebu, Camarines vs. Tacloban.