PNU Chess Team

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐂𝐊𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐄, 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓! ♟️🔥🎓

To our graduating 4th year members of the PNU Chess Team, Batch Dagitab, congratulations! 💛💙

What a journey it has been! From intense training sessions and late-night game analyses to nerve-wracking tournaments both inside and outside PNU, you showed what it truly means to fight for every move. You didn’t just play chess, you lived it.

Every competition became a new board to conquer. Some games ended in victory, others became lessons, but each one helped shape you into stronger players and better individuals. The real highlight, though, was not only the medals or rankings, it was the family you built along the way.

The shared snacks after training, the laughter during practice, the quiet focus before a match, the pep talks after tough losses, and the celebrations after hard-earned wins those are the moments that made this journey unforgettable. Through every opening, middle game, and endgame, your teammates were there beside you, proving that the strongest pieces on the board are the people who support each other.

You balanced academics, training, tournaments, and countless responsibilities with determination and grit. That takes more than intelligence, it takes discipline, courage, and heart.

As you step into your next chapter, may you continue to think several moves ahead, stay calm under pressure, and face every challenge with the confidence of a true chess player. Life’s board is about to get bigger, and we know you are ready for the next great match.

Thank you for representing the PNU Chess Team with pride, passion, and sportsmanship. Your legacy is not only in the games you won, but in the friendships you created and the inspiration you leave behind.

Congratulations, Batch Dagitab! This may be the end of one tournament, but it is only the beginning of a much greater game. ♟️🔥✨🚀

PNU Chess Team
One team. One board. One unforgettable journey. ♟️💛💙

Layout by: Captain Ley, Stephanie Collinette D. A.
Caption by: Jannrick Earl T. Zulueta

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩!

Welcoming the new members with a kickstart tournament for this ALAP 2026. New members, renowned members, alumni's, and coaches alike battle it off in a 10-Minute Rapid Rated Arena for 100 Minutes. Introducing playstyles both fresh and powerful with a new generation of wood pushers.

Congratulations, everyone!

𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬. ♟️

Join the Philippine Normal University Chess Team, the board is waiting for you. Make your move! @ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁, 𝗣𝗡𝗨 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗩𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗵

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻?
♟️Open to 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗕𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗙𝗜𝗗𝗘 Philippine Normal University - Manila Students
🏁 Beginner, Moderate, or Master Chess Players & Enthusiast
🎯 Willing to learn further

Link for the Application
https://forms.gle/R9TRm5wg3QmGGPw29
https://forms.gle/R9TRm5wg3QmGGPw29
https://forms.gle/R9TRm5wg3QmGGPw29

𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 the page for further inquiries!

Congratulations to the members of the PNU Manila Chess Team and PNU Torchbearers Varsity Club for achieving a 4/4 100% passing rate in the March 2026 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET)! ♟️🎉

Your dedication, discipline, and perseverance have brought pride and honor to the PNU community. May your success inspire more future educators and student-athletes to pursue excellence both in academics and in competition.

We are proud of all of you and your outstanding achievement!

To God be the glory!

🖼️ & ✍🏻: Daniel C. Ortañez

The PNU Chess Team - Manila was invited to the 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬' 𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 on April 17, 2026 9 A.M. - 4 P.M.; Competing against other participating universities:

1. MAPUA
2. Rizal Technological University
3. Technological University of the Philippines
4. Polytechnic University of the Philippines
5. De La Salle University – Dasmariñas
6. University of Perpetual Help System

The PNU Chess Team was represented by the Men's Team: Capt. Mel, Steve, Jannrick, and Gio in a fixed-board format of (7) Seven Rounds. With Capt. Mel leading the team at Board 1 winning (2) Boards, Steve at Board 2 with (4) four boards, Gio at board 3, and Jann at the strategic Board 5. The tournament
The tournament went through exchanges, draws, and even resigns as pieces flew through each side of all the squares. The team ended the tournament with success for experience and their developmental journey on chess.

"𝐓𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞."
- 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘍𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘰 𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘌𝘶𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦 𝘛𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘦

The Philippine Normal University Chess Team welcomed once more The Valenzuela National Highschool Team for a 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝘀 Mini Seminar and 𝗠𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝟭𝟬+𝟱 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. The Chess Clinic Mini workshop prepared by Mr. 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗼 𝗔. 𝗕𝗶ñ𝗮𝘀—a National Arbiter and the Head Coach of ValNat Chess Club, helped improve not only the 'In's', but also 'Out's' of chess. It highlighted the roles and duties of not only a Chess Arbiter, but as a chess player as a whole; mentioning the laws, jurisdictions, and protocols that will help the members with judgement in facilitating chess tournaments in the future.

The Application of the educational workshop was applied immediately on the followed 𝗠𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝟭𝟬+𝟱 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 of 5 rounds—spearheaded by Team Captain Stephanie Collinette D. Ampaña (Ley), as trial head arbiter. The rotation of arbiters depended on the availability of the players, thus players on BYE were able to exercise Arbiter duties. 𝗚𝗮𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼 of the VNHS team won undefeated through all 5 rounds, this being his 2nd undefeated streak since the 131 Tournament last January 31, 2026. On the other hand, 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗭𝘂𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘁𝗮 (Steve) continues his reign as Top PNU player for this tournament. The day concluded with farewells and a Simul game with PNUCT Coach Mark Christian Evangelista against (6) six PNUCT members. The game finished with (2) wins and (2) draws, leading into a total of 3 points won by the PNUCT Members.

Congratulations everyone!

🌟𝐏𝐍𝐔𝐂𝐓 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐆𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔🌟
(Real na to pramis! 'di na mamamandela effect)

Get a glimpse of all legends and new. Meet the champions, the rising stars, and the next generation of PNUCT's heart.

♟♞♜♝♛ ♚♟ '𝟏 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝟑 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬, 𝟏 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥' ♙♖♘ ♕♔♗♘

The Philippine Normal University Chess Team held the 𝟏𝟑𝟏 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, a tune-up tournament with two prestigious schools: STI Pasay-EDSA & Valenzuela National High School on January 31, 2026 at Room 307, Main Building. This collaborative tune-up between the three schools builds a threshold through every trap, pin, and 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚!

The 𝗦𝗧𝗜 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝗮𝘆-𝗘𝗗𝗦𝗔 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝟴 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀, each showcasing a rich storm of strategies. Facilitated and guided by 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐉𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐲 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢ñ𝐚, the performance of each and player represented a theme of strength and camaraderie. The interaction of the following schools was even more highlighted at every clock's count down, matching energies in all 8 rounds of 7-minute time control Rapid Matches. 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐏𝐍𝐔 took it home with 30.5, with top PNU Player and Overall Player, 𝙅𝙖𝙣𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙘 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙕𝙪𝙡𝙪𝙚𝙩𝙖; against Team STI with 25, with top STI Pasay-EDSA player 𝙅𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝘿. 𝙎𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙖.

The (𝗩𝗡𝗛𝗦) 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘇𝘂𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯 arrived with an hour to spare to play casual games with Team STI before their departure. The interaction between the 8 players between these two schools fostered an irreplaceable collaboration. 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐕𝐍𝐇𝐒 with 8 participating players, facilitated and guided by 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐨 𝐁𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐬, fought 8 rounds of 7-minute time control Rapid Matches with a vigor drowning the board into a spiral of champions. Pieces were flying from few seconds, and few seconds becoming crucial pieces of the board by the endgame. 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐕𝐍𝐇𝐒 consisted of players raging from Beginners up until 2000 ratings, with aspiring to participate in divisional levels. 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐏𝐍𝐔 as the winning team with the total wins of 22-18. On the other hand, 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐕𝐍𝐇𝐒'𝐬 𝐆𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨 remained undefeated with 5 wins out of the 5 rounds, making him the 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧 of the second half of January 31's 𝟏𝟑𝟏 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭!

Today's event was another journey that pieces our lives into a complete story. Within one board, among three teams, we achieve 1 goal.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞! 🎉