INTERNATIONAL master Daniel Quizon crowned himself as the country’s newest national champion by winning the 2021 National Chess Championships at the Solea Hotel and Resort in Mactan, Cebu.

Quizon, the 17-year-old student of Ateneo de Manila University, finished with 8.5 points on six wins and five draws in the 12-player tournament hosted by the Chess Movement, Inc. in cooperation with the Barkadahan Para sa Bansa.

Although already assured of the title as early as the 10th round, Quizon played well enough to hold IM Ronald Dableo to a draw after 36 moves of the King’s Indian Attack.

Aside from bringing home the P80,000 top prize, Quizon earned the right to represent the country in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam and the 2023 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Thailand.

At 17 years, Quizon also became the youngest player to win the event since GM Wesley So ruled the 2009 Battle of the Grandmasters, then considered the National Championship, at 16 years old.

IM Ricardo de Guzman settled for solo second place with seven points, followed by Dableo and GM Darwin Laylo in third to fourth places with 6.5 points.

The event was organized by the National Chess Federation of the Phiippines (NCFP), led by Chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay, and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), headed by Chairman; and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), led by President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino; and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), led by Vice Chairman and general manager Royina Garma.

Final standings after 11 rounds:

8.5 points — D. Quizon
7 — R. de Guzman
6.5 — R. Dableo, D. Laylo
6 — J. Pimentel, J. Garcia
5.5 — J. Miciano, P. Bersamina
4.5 — R.Antonio
4 — J. Frayna
3 — A. Pason, M.Concio

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ed Andaya