by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA---Filipino International Master (IM) Daniel Quizon toppled countryman Jan Clifford Labog to grab a share of the lead after two rounds of the Eastern Asia Juniors and Girls Chess Championship 2023 - Open division on Sunday at the Sabah Oriental Hotel in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Earlier, Quizon defeated Brayden Carl Linus of Malaysia in the first round.
The former national open champion improved his total to 2.0 points, the same output of National Master Ivan Travis Cu and Davin Sean Romualdez of the Philippines, International Master Aditya Bagus Arfan and Candidate Master Fabian Glen Mariano of Indonesia, and FIDE Master Munkhdalai Amilal of Mongolia.
Cu subdued compatriot Danry Seth Romualdez of the Philippines and Mohan Kavin of Malaysia while Davin Sean Romualdez of the Philippines bested Yong An Ayden Kho of Malaysia and Ahmad Akmal of Brunei.
“The first two rounds is one of the toughest rounds in any tournament. It usually sets the tone of how you’re going to perform,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/ President Rep. Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr.
International Master Michael Concio Jr. of the Philippines also opened with win and draw. Concio crushed Jai Adithya Gnanasekar of Singapore and split the points with Muhd Faqih Aminuddin of Malaysia.
FIDE Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca of the Philippines, meantime halving the points with Yin Lin Wee of Malaysia then trounced Jing Yung Hiew of Malaysia.
In the Girls division, Woman National Master Ruelle Canino of the Philippines nipped Suchita Mathan of Malaysia and Nur Ainul Mardhiah Redzuan of Brunei to score 2.0 points and create a four way-tie that includes Woman FIDE Master Boldbaatar Altantuya of Mongolia, Woman FIDE Master Theresa Singgih Diajeng of Indonesia, and Woman Fide Master Park Sunwoo of South Korea.
Another Filipino entry Woman National Master Ma. Elayza Villa outclassed Bridgette Simba Leo Ansie of Malaysia then drew with Woman Candidate Master Jia-Tien Chua of Malaysia.-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo shows International Master (IM) Daniel Quizon