Quizon set to become 19th Filipino GM
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 15 Sep 2024
Manila---International Master Daniel Quizon defeated Grandmaster Igor Efimov in 37 moves of a King’s Indian to help the Philippines route Monaco, 4-0, that catapulted it closer to the top 10 after four rounds of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad at the BOK Sports Hall in Budapest, Hungary on Sunday.
The 20-year-old chess phenom from Dasmariñas, Cavite sealed his dream Grandmaster title after he secured 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 Congressman Pidi Barzaga.
Quizon’s feat underscored what had been a dominant day for the Filipinos as GM Julio Catalino Sadorra and IMs Pau Bersamina and Jan Emmanuel Garcia, whose trips are being bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission through chair Richard Bachmann and commissioner Ed Hayco and backed by NCFP chief Butch Pichay, emerged victorious on boards one, three and four, respectively.
It catapulted the Filipinos, seeded 51st out of a record 197 teams, into a 25-country logjam at 13th place with six match points apiece and will play the 26th seed Slovenians in the fifth round of this 11-round tournament.
It was also no coincidence that Quizon’s glorious moment trickled down to the women’s side where the Filipinas, spearheaded 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, the 26-year-old Sta. Rosa, Laguna native had to survive Andrea Cortez, who blundered away her winning and drawing chances that allowed the former to escape with a 60-move win of a razor-sharp Sicilian duel.
“Actually, hindi ko ineexpect mananalo ako ibang games. Ginagawa ko lang best ko,” said Mendoza, who will play 24th pick Italy next.
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 others on pristine scores of eight points apiece including Southeast Asian powerhouse Vietnam, which shocked defending champion Uzbekistan, 3-0.
Also in that group were the Ukrainians, who stunned top seed United States in a 2.5-1.5 result that was sealed by old guard Vasyl Ivanchuk’s earthshaking win over Philippine-born Wesley So on second board.
Meanwhile, Quizon will be conferred his GM title in the Fide Congress scheduled on September 17-22, 2024 to be held at the Hotel Inter Continental in Budapest, Hungary.
He will be the country’s 19th GM after Eugene Torre, the late Rosendo Balinas Jr., Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., Buenaventura "Bong" Villamayor, Nelson "Jet" Mariano II, Mark Paragua, Darwin Laylo, Wesley So, Jayson Gonzales, John Paul Gomez, Joseph Sanchez, Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla Jr., Roland Salvador, Julio Catalino Sadorra, Oliver Barbosa, Richard Bitoon, Enrico Sevillano and Janelle Mae Frayna.
Quizon already has four (4) GM norms under his belt.-Marlon Bernardino-
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