BUDAPEST. — Filipino Daniel Quizon succeeded in sealing his dream Grandmaster title while helping the Philippines smash Monaco 4-0 last Saturday as the Philippines moved closer to the top 10 after four rounds of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad at the BOK Sports Hall here.

The 20-year-old International Master from Dasmariñas, Cavite outlasted GM Igor Efimov, a 64-year-old Georgian émigré, in 37 moves of a King’s Indian duel to earn the two rating points needed to breach the 2500 plateau and claim the GM title that he has long pursued.

“Sobrang saya po,” said Quizon, who will receive P1 million from Dasmarinas Mayor Jenny Barzaga through the initiative of the late Dasmarinas Rep. Pidi Barzaga.

Quizon’s feat underscored what was a dominant day for the Filipinos as GM Julio Catalino Sadorra and IMs Pau Bersamina and Jan Emmanuel Garcia, whose trip here is bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission and backed by NCFP chief Butch Pichay, emerged victorious on boards one, three and four, respectively.

The win catapulted the Filipinos, seeded 51st out of a record 197 teams, into a 25-country logjam at 13th place with six match points. They will clash with 26th seed Slovenia in the fifth round of the 11-round tournament.

Quizon’s glorious moment trickled down the women’s side where the Filipinas, led by the giant-slaying Shania Mae Mendoza on top board, demolished El Salvador 4-0 to leapfrog to a 30-nation tie at No. 13.

Also coming through for the country were Janelle Mae Frayna, Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Bernadette Galas, who were merciless in disposing of their respective foes in the lower boards.

While her teammates had trouble-free wins, Mendoza, 26, of Sta. Rosa, Laguna, native had to survive Andrea Cortez, who blundered away her winning and drawing chances that allowed the Filipina to escape with a 60-move win of a razor-sharp Sicilian duel.

“Actually, hindi ko ini-expect na mananalo ako ng ibang games. Ginagawa ko lang ang best ko,” said Mendoza, who will lead the team against 24th pick Italy in the next round.

In the overall race in the Open section, powerhouse India continued to hold sway as it clobbered France 3.5-.5 to share the lead with seven other teams with eight points, including Southeast Asian powerhouse Vietnam, which shocked defending champion Uzbekistan, 4-0.