Quizon shares lead with 2 others in Zonal chess
by Marlon Bernardino
Standings after Round 7
5.5 points---IM Daniel Quizon (Philippines), IM Michael Concio Jr. (Philippines), IM Mohamad Ervan (Indonesia)
5 points---GM Novendra Priasmoro (Indonesia), IM Sean Winshand Cuhendi (Indonesia), IM Tin Jingyao (Singapore)
4.5 points---IM Yoseph Theolifus Taher (Indonesia), Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo (Philippines), FM Jagadeesh Siddharth (Singapore), GM Susanto Megaranto (Indonesia), FM Lik Zhang Lye (Malaysia), IM John Marvin Miciano (Philippines), NM Merben Roque (Philippines), Ellan Asuela (Philippines)

MANILA, Philippines---International Master Daniel Quizon of the Philippines continued his fiery showing Friday, May 7, 2021 even as two other players managed to keep pace after seven rounds in the Hybrid Online Zone 3.3 Zonal Chess Championships 2021 on Tornelo.
Playing white, Quizon defeated International Master Yoseph Theolifus Taher of Indonesia after 42 moves of Ruy Lopez Opening, Schliemann variation to raise his total 5.5 points, the same output of countryman International Master Michael Concio Jr. and International Master Mohamad Ervan of Indonesia.
"I hope to continue my good fortune all the way towards the last 2 rounds." said Quizon, one of the top players of the star-studded Dasmarinas Chess Academy put up by Rep. Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr. and national coach Fide Master Roel Abelgas.
Concio split the point with International Master Sean Winshand Cuhendi of Indonesia after 61 moves of English Opening while Ervan agreed to a draw with International Master Tin Jingyao of Singapore after 70 moves of Queens Gambit Declined, Cambridge variation.
Tin Jingyao and Cuhendi trail with 5 points each together with second seed Grandmaster Novendra Piasmoro of Indonesia, who settled a truce with Fide Master Jagadeesh Siddharth of Singapore after 68 moves of King's Indian defense.
Taher and seven others follow with 4.5 points each, namely Siddharth, International Master John Marvin Miciano, National Master Merben Roque, Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo and Ellan Asuela of the Philippines, Fide Master Lik Zhang Lye of Malaysia and top seed Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia.
Lone Filipino Grandmaster entry Darwin Laylo halving the point with Fide Master Zhuo Ren Lim of Malaysia after 66 moves of English Opening to lead the huge group of 4 pointers along with seven others.
According to International Arbiter Casto "Toti" Abundo of the World Chess Federation that the top two players will advance to the World Cup set in August in Minsk, Russia.
 Fifty-two players from six nations are taking part in the event that has a prize fund of $1,500 (about P75,000) according to National Chess Federation of the Philippines Chairman/President Senior Deputy Speaker Prospero "Butch" Arreza Pichay Jr. who watched the game live streaming through chess24.com.-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo shows International Master Daniel Quizon