Daniel Quizon has secured the title of grandmaster, marking the first time in 13 years that the Philippines has gained a new chess GM. At just 20 years old, Quizon earned the title after defeating GM Igor Efimov and surpassing the 2500-rating threshold during the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad at BOK Sports Hall in Budapest, Hungary, on Sunday, September 15.
Hailing from Cavite, Quizon becomes the 17th chess grandmaster in the Philippines, following the achievements of Oliver Barbosa and Richard Bitoon in 2011. He joins a select group, which includes the country’s only female GM, Janelle Mae Frayna.
Quizon’s journey to grandmaster status began early, with numerous victories in high-level tournaments. In 2018, he claimed the International Master title after winning the Eastern Asian Juniors Open Championships in South Korea. His notable achievements include representing the country in the 2021 Chess World Cup and winning gold at the Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championships in 2019.
With his determination and skill, Quizon completed his three required GM norms by March 2024, the last one achieved at the Hanoi Grandmaster Chess Tournament in Vietnam.