This was confirmed by UAAP Executive Director Rebo Saguisag during the coaches' meeting held last September 14.

The new ruling will adopt the match point rules used in the FIDE Chess Olympiad. In this system, matches are scored using match points. A win scores 2 points, a draw scores 1 point, and a loss scores 0 points. Matches refer to the overall result of the team head-to-head.

"We're moving away from the game point and adopting the match point, which is a format currently used in the FIDE Chess Olympiad. This is not something entirely new, as UAAP is striving to align, as much as possible, with the international federation rules for each sport. So, this is a move in that direction," said Saguisag regarding the rule changes.

Game points, referring to the points scored by each team member, will now be the first tiebreaker. The Sonneborn–Berger scoring system will also be introduced as one of the tiebreakers.

Matches played in UAAP Chess Season 86 will also be FIDE-rated, allowing players to earn international FIDE ratings.

Saguisag hopes that the upcoming changes for Season 86 will add to the excitement of the chess tournament, addressing criticisms from the previous season, particularly related to severe heat in the venue.

"I believe that one of the complaints last year was about the venue during the elimination round. Temperature is a significant factor that we have to consider. We've listened to the coaches and the experts. Based on today's meeting, we are looking forward to an exciting Season 86 for Chess," he stated.

In the Men's Division, defending champion University of Sto. Tomas will open its title defense against Ateneo de Manila University, while the University of the Philippines will face Season 85's third-place finisher, Far Eastern University. De La Salle University will compete against Adamson University in the other match in the Men's Division.

In the Women's Division, Season 85 champion National University will aim to begin the season on a strong note against AdU. Ateneo and UST will face FEU and UP, respectively, while DLSU will have a bye on opening day.

In the high school boys' division, reigning champion FEU-Diliman will take on AdU, while Ateneo will face DLS-Zobel, and UST will have a bye. In the distaff side, AdU and UST will start their season campaigns against DLSZ and NU-Nazareth School, with defending champs FEU-D enjoying a bye on opening day.