The University Athletic Association of the Philippines is launching its inaugural blitz and rapid events in the UAAP Season 87 Chess Championships later today at the Adamson Gym.
For the first time in league history, the UAAP Chess Championships will include blitz and rapid formats alongside the standard event, which concluded last November.
UAAP Chess Commissioner and Chief Arbiter Reden Cruz expressed excitement over this historic addition, believing it will further elevate the game of chess not only within the UAAP but across the broader chess community.
“We are very excited to have the rapid and blitz formats in the UAAP Season 87. Excited kami, hindi lang para sa amin kundi para sa lahat ng Philippine chess community kasi first time na magkakaroon ng rapid and blitz sa UAAP. Magandang senyales ito na sumisigla at gumaganda yung UAAP Chess Championship natin,” Cruz said, emphasizing the significance of these events, which will serve as demonstration competitions for the season.
Cruz also credited the National Chess Federation of the Philippines for initiating the inclusion of these new formats.
“Sa tingin ko, maaaring sumunod na rin yung ibang mga national collegiate chess championships,” he said, noting the potential impact of Season 87’s blitz and rapid events on other collegiate leagues.
The rapid event will follow a 15-minute time control with a 10-second increment per move, while the blitz event will feature a 3-minute time control with a 2-second increment per move.
Both events will adopt a single-round robin format in the elimination stage, with the top four teams in the men’s and women’s divisions advancing to a crossover semifinals.
Meanwhile, the final rankings for the boys’ and girls’ divisions will be determined by the results of the single-round robin phase.
Far Eastern University, which clinched the Season 87 championships in three divisions of the standard event, will look to extend its dominance.
Meanwhile, reigning men’s division champion University of Santo Tomas aims to carry over its standard event success into the rapid and blitz competitions.
