GM Wesley So congratulated the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP), headed by president-commissioner Atty.Paul Elauria, for helping promote professional chess in the country.

In a message sent during the PCAP GM Wesley So Cup awarding ceremonues last Sept. 15, So underscored the role of PCAP as the country’s first and only play-for-pay league.

So opened his message by calling local participants as “my dear kababayans in the Philippine chess community.”

So’s full message:

“Let me first say how proud I am of the PCAP. I want to congratulate this courageous and innovative group for providing opportunity and development for the Filipino chess player.

It is amazing the way PCAP has grown in such a short time. From the Draft Day in December of last year to the present, the league has attracted the interest of chess lovers around the world.

Thank you to the newspapers and social media that have been supportive and encouraging of the PCAP efforts. Thank you to the people who started this first and only professional chess league in the Philippines. I am really happy for their success and proud they allowed me to play a small part with the Wesley So Cup.

It is painful that the present worldwide situation, has caused so much disruption and anxiety in our lives and our careers. Hopefully the stress of these difficult times will make us all stronger.

Maybe we as chess players could lead the way. Make good decisions. Play fair. Try to win but if you don’t, do not hesitate to congratulate those who do. I am happy that the next conference will have foreign teams. It’s an opportunity to join hands and show the world integrity, sportsmanship and professionalism.

To chess players in the Philippines and to the foreign guest teams, thank you for your participation. I hope you will all have a wonderful time and benefit from the rich beauty of what is not only a sport, but also an art.

May the Lord God bless and keep us all.”

(Signed) GM Wesley So

Meanwhile, IM Cris Ramayrat of Manila Indios Bravos was named as “Best Player of the Conference”.

Ramayrat, the original “Blitz King of the Philippines”, finished with the best record in the history of PCAP with 92/102 points (90.2 percent) in over 68 games.

NM Cesar Mariano of Iloilo Kisela Knights was named as Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Mariano, the pride of Jaro, Iloilio, scored an impressive 16.5/24 in the playoffs and 3.5/6 in the finals as board four player of the Leo Sotaridona-owned team.

Also receiving a special award was Vietnamese import WGM Nguyen Thi Mai Hung of Isabela Knight Raiders.

A former Asian Junior women’s champion, Nguyen talied 78.5/90 points for 87.22 percent to earn Best Import Award.+