The Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) is a professional chess league in the Philippines.
History The Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) was formed by Filipino lawyer Paul Elauria who also became the league's first commissioner. The league was launched in 2020, although plans relating to the establishment of the first professional chess league in the Philippines has already been made years ago.
It was formed as a means of livelihood for Filipino chess players, since not all are part of the Philippine national team. It is reportedly the first professional chess league in Southeast Asia with its first season to be held in 2021 with games possibly to be held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The league was recognized by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), a government body which regulates professional sports in the Philippines, in September 2020. PCAP held its first national try out online through on October 17, 2020.
For the inaugural season slated to start early 2021, 24 teams will participate in the league. The first ever draft was held on December 20, 2020.
In March 2021, PCAP secured a sponsorship of the San Miguel Corporation.
The third season shifted to a two conference tournament. The Reinforced Conference was not held.
Teams There are 18 teams in the PCAP as of the 2026 season, divided into two geographic groups. North Cagayan Kings Isabela Knights of Alexander Manila AQ Prime Assets Manila Indios Bravos Pasig City King Pirates Quezon City Simba's Tribe Quezon City Stallions Rizal Batch Towers San Juan PredatorsSouth Arriba Iriga Oragons Bacolod Blitzers Camarines Soaring Eagles Cebu Niños Cavite Spartans (Dasmarinas) Laguna 7Lakes Mindoro Tamaraws Toledo Xignex Trojans Zamboanga Sultans
Former teams Antipolo Cobras Cagayan De Oro Caloocan Loadmanna Knights Cebu City Machers Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors Davao Chess Eagles Iloilo Kisela Knights Laguna Heroes (Cabuyao) Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors Mandaluyong Tigers Misamis Occidental Bamboo Knights Olongapo Rainbow Team 7 Pagadian PCL Palawan Queens' Gambit Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates Tacloban Vikings / Pawnmovers
Guest teams Domestic teams CCE Sunrays (2021) Davao Executive Chess Society (2021) Koronadal Dream Weavers (2025) Manila-AQ Prime Assets (2025) Pampanga Checkers (2021) Parañaque City-PATTS-UKCC (2025) Philippine paralympic chess team (2021) Pasig Grassroots Knights (2022, 2024) Philippine Executive Chess Association (2022)Foreign teams Peng Cheng Dragons (2021) Penang Blue Panthers (2021) Team SinQGApore (2021) Double Bishop Bangkok (2021, 2025)
Format Tournaments The PCAP will have three tournaments or conferences in each season namely the All-Filipino, Reinforced and Open Conferences. Participating teams will be geographic-based, and will represent a particular local government unit although all teams will be privately owned. The participating teams will be divided into two geographic conferences or groups, North and South with teams initially playing other sides within their respective groups before playing against each other in inter-league matches in the elimination round.
Conferences (Tournaments)
All-Filipino Reinforced Open
Players Teams can have eight to ten players under contract; six of them being regular players. Among the regular players two must be rated players, one must be female, one must be senior and two must be homegrown players. All participating players including participants of the PCAP draft must be licensed by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB). A salary cap is imposed to protect the financial viability of the league. For the Reinforced conference, each team can field on foreign player who may fill a slot in all categories except the homegrown category. A rated player may not be recategorized as a homegrown player.
Matches Each match in the PCAP include seven boards: Player categoryBoardsHomegrown 3Rated 2Lady 1Senior 1 In a conference, each team plays twice against other teams within their group, and once against teams outside their group.
Champions Results by season
Season Year ChampionsAll-Filipino Reinforced Open (Wesley So Cup)1 2021 Laguna Heroes Iloilo Kisela Knights San Juan Predators2 2022 San Juan Predators Pasig City King Pirates Pasig City King Pirates3 2023 Pasig City King Pirates Pasig City King Pirates4 2024 Manila Indios Bravos Manila Indios Bravos5 2025 Toledo Xignex Trojans Manila Loadmanna Knights 6 2026 Pasig City King Pirates
See also Filipino Chess Championship
References
External links