by Marlon Bernardino

Final Standings:
8.0 points---Daniel Quizon
7.5 points---Jhonnel Balquin, GM Darwin Laylo
7.0 points---NM Rustom Tolentino, Henry Roger Lopez
6.5 points---IM Oliver Dimakiling, IM Ronald Dableo, Melchor Arcenas Jr., NM Alexander Lupian, FM John Marvin Miciano, NM Edsel Montoya

DASMARINAS, Cavite chess wizard Daniel Quizon pocketed the top honors in the 10th Kidapawan Open Chess Tournament held at the Notre Dame of Kidapawan College, Kidapawan City.

The 13-year-old Quizon, the top player of Dasmarinas, Cavite mayor Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga and congresswoman Jenny Barzaga, collected eight points on eight wins and a loss to win the nine-round tournament.

Quizon scored victories over Joannah Love Marie Olay in the first round, Francis Xavier Guimalan in the second round, Chito Dimakiling II in the third round, Rodrigo Catayas in the fourth round, IM Oliver Dimakiling in the fifth round, IM Ronald Dableo in the sixth round but was yielded to GM Darwin Laylo in the seventh round but bounced back in contention after beating FM John Marvin Miciano in the eight round and Harisson Maamo in the ninth and final round to secure the coveted title.

With his latest feat, Quizon, went home P25,000 top purse in the two-day February 3 and 4, 2018 rapid chess tournament (25 minutes + 5 seconds increment) organized by Kidapawan Chess Club, Incorporated (Inc.) president Dr. Ted P. Calica and supported by the city government of Kidapawan through Mayor Joseph Evangelista and Philippines Sports Commission (PSC) commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey being held celebrating its 20th founding anniversary of the City of Kidapawan. Chief Arbiter is FNA Joseph Gener I. Palero.

Playing under the watchful eye of National Coach International Master Roel Abelgas, the son of a motorcycle mechanic, finished second in a youth chess tournament in chilly Harbin, China last January 28, 2018.

He scored 7.5 out of 9 rounds to finish second to grandmaster Bai Jinshi of China, who had 8.5 points in the China Youth Chess International Tournament.-Marlon Bernardino-