CORDOVA, CEBU---Daniel Quizon split the point with fellow International Master Ronald Dableo in 36 moves of a King’s Indian Attack to reign supreme in the 2021 Philippine National Championship at the Solea Hotel and Resort in Mactan, Cebu Tuesday night.
The 17-year-old Quizon finished with an unbeaten of 8.5 points on six wins—all coming in the first six rounds—and five draws to win the 11-round, 12-player tournament 1.5 points ahead of the field.
IM Ricardo de Guzman won over Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. via time forfeit in the final round to clinch second place with seven points while Dableo and GM Darwin Laylo, who split the point with IM Jem Garcia in 30 moves of a Pirc Defense, finished third and fourth, respectively, with 6.5 points each.
Quizon was at a positional disadvantage but found a way to salvage draw, thanks to their opposite-colored bishops ending.
For his feat, the World Cup veteran pocketed the top purse worth P80,000 and a spot to next year’s Hanoi Southeast Asian Games and the 2023 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Bangkok and Chonburi, Thailand.
He also became one the youngest to win the Nationals after Wesley So, who won it in 2009 as a 16-year-old.
“Dream come true,” said Quizon, who has set his sights at a GM title.
Other final round results saw IM Joel Pimentel winning over IM John Marvin Miciano; Allan Pason pulling the rug from under IM Michael Concio, Jr.; and Woman GM Janelle Mae Frayna halving the point with top seed IM Paulo Bersamina.
The event was being supported by Barkadahan Para sa Bansa partylist, Philippine Sports Commission, CCLEX, Metro Pacific Tollways (MPTC), Alin Cargo, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, POC president Bambol Tolentino, Chess Movement Inc., chair Dr. Ariel Potot, RiChess Masters and Atty. Roel Canobas.-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo shows top three winners IM Ricardo de Guzman (2nd), IM Daniel Quizon (Champion) and IM Ronald Dableo (3rd). (photo credit to Marlon Bernardino)