MANILA---International Master Daniel Quizon has earned his second GM norm, of the three required to earn the coveted grandmaster title, at the AQ Prime ASEAN Chess Championship Invitational closed round-robin tournament category 6 which concluded on Saturday, February 18, 2023.
He won the tournament in clear first with 7.5 points on account of 6 wins, 2 losses and 3 draws in 11 outings to received the top prize of 2,000 USD in this event organized by IM Roderick Nava of the Kamatyas Chess Club, sponsored by AQ Prime Proprietor/President Atty. Aldwin Alegre.
"I will always be grateful to those who supported me towards my achievement of getting my 2nd of 3 required GM norms,” The Dasmarinas City based Quizon referring to Rep. Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr., Mayor Jenny Barzaga and national coach FM Roel Abelgas.
The 19-year-old Filipino, who lost his first two matches, trounced countryman IM Rolando Nolte with the black pieces in the final round.
In a game that transposed into a King’s Indian defense, Bayonet Attack variation, Quizon won a pawn in the middlegame and translated it into a 57-move victory.
Quizon came into the match fresh from an upset win over top seed Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia on Friday.
He earned his first GM norm after winning the Eastern Asia Juniors Chess Championship last August 2018 in South Korea. Quizon only needed one norm to earn a GM title.
Quizon looks to join the growing list of Filipino grandmasters including Eugene Torre, the late Rosendo Balinas Jr., Rogelio Antonio Jr., Bong Villamayor, Nelson Mariano, Mark Paragua, Wesley So, Darwin Laylo, Jayson Gonzales, John Paul Gomez, Joseph Sanchez, Roland Salvador, Rogelio Barcenilla, Julio Catalino Sadorra, Oliver Barbosa, Richard Bitoon and Enrico Sevillano.
The Cebuano native Sevillano currently based in Tehachapi, California is the last Filipino received the FIDE title of Grandmaster (GM) in September 2012.
Meanwhile, IM Paulo Bersamina drew with GM Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam after 30 moves of Modern Benoni defense to finish solo second with 7 points. Bersamina pocketed 1,200 USD for his efforts.
Megaranto took the third spot with 6.5 points after drawing with compatriot IM Ervan Mohamad after 35 moves of a Petroff defense.
Grandmaster Darwin Laylo and Mohamad tied for fourth with 6 points apiece.
Laylo, playing white, disposed of GM John Paul Gomez in 33 moves of Queen's Indian defense in the final round.
Gomez slipped to sixth with 5.5 points.
Four players — IM Yeoh Li Tian of Malaysia, CM Dau Khuong Duy and GM Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam, and IM Yoseph Theolifus Taher of Indonesia — were bunched in a share of seventh with 5 points apiece.
Yeoh bowed to FM Prin Laohawirapap of Thailand while Dau nipped Taher.
National Chess Federation of the Philippines chiarman/ president Rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. said this only proves that Filipinos are world-class beaters.
“I would like to extend my congratulations to IM Daniel Quizon and IM Paulo Bersamina. They really proved that Filipinos are at par with the best in the world. And this also proves that our programs in the NCFP are on the right track,” Rep. Pichay said.-Marlon Bernardino-