Dasmariñas City, Cavite "super kid" Daniel Quizon toppled top seed Vietnamese International Master (IM) Tran Minh Thang to join compatriot Fide Master John Marvin Miciano of Davao City in the leadership board along with Arya Omidi of Iran and Timur Nurzhanov of Kazakhstan after two rounds of the Asian Youth Chess Championships Standard event, Open 18 years old and below category was held at the Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand on Monday.
Quizon, top player of Dasmariñas City, Cavite mayor Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga and congresswoman Jenny Barzaga, also bested Jacob Joseph Chan of Australia in the first round.
Miciano, on the other hand, crushed CM Regan Crowley of Australia in Round 1 and Ahmad Nazari Emir Rusyaidi in Round 2.
In Tuesday's third round, Miciano will face Omidi in Board 1 while Quizon goes up against Nurzhanov in Board 2.
Michael Concio Jr. of Dasmariñas City, Cavite won his first round matches to Wu Po-Sheng of Chinese-Taipei and second round encounter against CM Ruslan Sezdbekov of Kyrgyzstan to share the lead with four others in the Open 16 years old and below category.
Mark Jay Bacojo of Dasmariñas City, Cavite is leading the way in the Open 12 and under with an impressive wins against Kajornmanee Prin of Thailand and Wu David Tai-Wei of Chinese-Taipei, in order.
Rapid event Lone Bronze medallist John Jerish Velarde of Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu lost his first matches to Yao Jia-You of Chinese-Taipei but bounced back in contention by demolishing Hewage Dinupa Adithya of Sri-Lanka in the second round.
Also impressive with 2.0 points each in their respective category are Al-Basher "Basty" Buto of Cainta, Rizal (Open 8 and under)and WCM Kylen Joy Mordido of Dasmariñas City (Girls 18 and under).
Other member of the Philippine age group team were Jerome Angelo Aragones of Las Pinas City (1 pt/ Open 14 and under), Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian of Kalinga-Apayao (1 pt/ Girls 16 and under), Jerlyn Mae San Diego of Dasmariñas, Cavite (1 pt/ Girls 14 and under), Antonella Berthe Racasa of Marikina City (0.5 pt/ Girls 12 and under) and Daren dela Cruz of Dasmariñas, Cavite, (1 pt/ Girls 10 and under).
Delegation head International Master Roel Abelgas while head coach is International Master Yves Rañola.
The Philippine age group chess team would be possible with undying support of Dasmariñas City, Cavite mayor Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga and congresswoman Jenny Barzaga, National Chess Federation of the Philippines Chairman/President Rep. Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., Secretary-General Rep. Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr., Treasurer Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe and Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez Jr. -Marlon Bernardino-