The winning teams in the first Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Inter-School chess championships starting July 8 will not only  get valuable experience, but juicy cash prizes as well.

PCAP president-commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria said cash prizes await the winners in the unique, four-day competition for top student-players, with the champion  getting the lion’s share of P30,000.

The runner-up will bring home P20,000, the third placer P10,000 and the fourth placer P5,000.

“We want to give our young players the opportunity to experience playing chess, PCAP-style. But  we’re also giving away juicy cash prizes to all the winners for their efforts,” added  Elauria, referring to the event being held as part of the International Chess Day celebrations on July 20.

So far, more  than 30 universities and colleges  have already registered for the tournament, which will also be held on July 9, July 15 and July 16.

Leading the list of the participating teams are Ateneo de Manila, La Salle-College of St. Benilde, Chiang Kai Shek College, St. Stephen’s High School, San  Sebastian College, Jose Rizal University, International School, VCIS-Taguig, VCIS-Pasig, Technological Institute of the Philippines, MGC, Rizal High School, LICS-Pasig 1, LICS Pasig-2, and provincial teams Ateneo de Zamboanga, Silliman University and University of Nueva Caceres.

PCAP chairman Michael Angelo Chua of two-time PCAP champion San Juan Predators welcomed the big number of participants in the inaugural PCAP Inter-School tournament.

“Most of the participating colleges and universities have strong and vibrant  chess programs for their students. We hope to encourage other schools to do the same  through this PCAP competition,” said Chua.

Aside from the Inter-School Championship, PCAP is also set to organize the PCAP Inter-Commercial League in August and the much-awaited PCAP Wesley So Cup in September.