KUNG may nais patunayan ang Palawan Queens’ Gambit sa pagsali sa Professional Chess Association of the Philippines, ito’y hindi ang manalo bagkus maiparating sa sambayanan na may paglalagyan ang kababaihan sa lahat ng antas – maging sa larangan ng chess.

“Our main objective in joining PCAP is to help promote women’s chess in the country, and not only in Palawan,” pahayag ni Palawan Queen’s Gambits coach Susan Grace Neri sa kanyang pagbisita sa “Usapang Sports on Air” ng Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) via Zoom nitong Huwebes.

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Ang Queen’s Gambit ang tanging all-female team na kabilang sa 24 kalahok sa PCAP – ang kauna-unahang chess pro league sa bansa.

“Even before the blockbuster Netflix series Queens’ Gambit came out, our team owner-manager Bernardo Jorge Mitra is already planning to promote women’s chess in the country,” paglalahad ni Neri sa programa na itinataguyod ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) at Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

“When we joined PCAP as a founding member last year, he (Mitra) told our players to just enjoy the game. No pressure to win against strong teams led by GM Eugene Torre and Rogelio Antonio, Jr.,” aniya.

Inamin ni Neri na mabigat ang laban ng Palawan Queen’s Gambit sa torneo na dominado ng kalalakihan, ngunit ang kanilang partisipasyon at pagkakataon na makaharap ang pinakamatitikas na chess masters sa bansa ay sapat na para higit silang magpursige.

Aniya, napapanahon ang pagbuo ng PCAP bunsod ng katotohanan na walang masyadong torneo na mapuntahan ang kababaihang chess players matapos ang kanilang career sa collegiate leagues.

“With the Palawan Queen’s Gambit in PCAP, they now have a chance to play professionally,”pahayag ni Neri, coach din ng La Salle at anak ng namayapang player-coach na si Wilfredo Neri.

“Right now, we only have one WGM (Janelle Mae Frayna). But I know we still have a lot of talented female players who can excel in international chess.”

“As we have said, the Palawan Queen’s Gambit team decided to make it our mission. More than winning, we want to encourage more female players to continue to play the game. With PCAP, mas mabibigyan natin ngayon ng pansin ang women’s chess. Hindi na masasayang yun talents ng mga kababaihan natin na naglalaro ng chess,” pahayag ni Neri.

Kabilang sa pambato ni Neri si WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego na naging player din niya sa La Salle.

“Nakatutuwa dahil lahat kami nagtu-tulong tulong para sa team, pati yun mga senior at homegrown players namin. Last night tinalo namin yun Iriga City, para na din kaming nanalo ng championship,” aniya.

-Edwin G. Rollon