INTERNATIONAL Master Daniel Quizon completed his return to the top by ruling the Philippine National Chess Championships yesterday at the Marikina Community Convention Center.
Quizon, 19, turned back Grandmaster John Paul Gomez in 32 moves of a King’s Indian to finish with 9.5 points and claim his second national title since winning it all three years back in Lapu Lapu, Cebu.
Aside from topping the 14-player event presented by Marikina City Congresswoman Maan Teodoro and Mayor Marcy Teodoro, the Dasmarinas bet claimed the top purse of P120,000 and one of three berths to the national squad seeing action in the FIDE World Chess Olympiad in September in Budapest, Hungary.
“Happy ako na nag-champion ulit ako at makakalaro sa Olympiad,” said Quizon, who played in the online version of the Olympiad two years ago but never in the over-the-board edition of the biennial meet.
IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia battled 14-year-old FIDE Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca to a 30-move standoff in an English encounter to settle for second with nine points, an Olympiad spot and the P70,000 runner-up purse.
Seizing third spot with 8.5 points was Woman GM Janelle Mae Frayna, who triumphed in 33 moves of an English Opening game against Samson Chiu Chin Lim III in the meet backed by Marikina City, NCFP chairman president Prospero Pichay, Jr., POC president Abraham Tolentino, PSC chair Richard Bachmann, the Eugene Torre Chess Foundation and Pan de Amerikana’s Jundio Salvador.
For her exploits, the Army private earned P50,000 and a seat to the Budapest Olympiad, set to make history as the first Filipina to play in the men’s team.
Frayna, however, is still undecided.
“I’m not sure yet what will happen,” said the many-time women’s national champion.
If she doesn’t, the precious slot could go to the fourth placer between Gomez and IM Paulo Bersamina, who split the point with GM Joey Antonio, after finishing at No. 4 with identical eight points.
Unheralded Vince Angelo Medina could join Gomez and Bersamina at fourth with a win over WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego at press time.
