Palawan Queens’ Gambit is now officially an all-female world professional Chess team, they are composed of 4 Women International Masters, 2 Women National Masters with three Palaweñas.
The team is being managed by Palawan businessman Jojo Mitra with Susan Neri as coach, they both believe it is time for the kings to have their counterpart, and to prove that women do really excel in sports, and they are battle ready for the incoming inaugural season of Professional Chess Association of the Philippines.
“It is time for the Philippines and the world to know that the lack of women in the sport is the reason why there are very few masters, in choosing to field an all-female team, we will garner more interest from Filipinas to play chess,” Mitra said.
The team bannered by woman International Masters are, Marie Antoinette San Diego, Catherine Pereña- Setopito and Mikee Charlene Suede. Woman International Master — elect Shania Mae Mendoza, Women National Masters Carmelites Abanes, and Cecilia Cuizon will surely make the team competitive. Palawan’s homegrown Marife Dela Torre, Yanika Eli seratubEas, and Jeslbel Maberit complete the Queens’ fine-up.
“Chess is not just for men, It’s time women play and show that all’s fair the game,” Coach Neri said.