Filipino International Master Daniel Quizon showcased remarkable skill and determination over the weekend at the 30th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, finishing tied for first place. The 20-year-old, set to represent the Philippines in the upcoming Chess Olympiad, held his own against strong competition, including defeating four Grandmasters (GMs).
Quizon’s performance was highlighted by a thrilling victory over 10th seed Sunilduth Lyna Narayana of India in a 51-move King’s Indian match, which placed him in a six-way tie for first place with seven points. While tiebreaks eventually placed him in sixth position, Quizon’s performance was at a super-GM level with a rating of 2749.
Uzbek GM Nodirbek Yakubboev claimed first place, followed by GM David Paravyan of FIDE, Uzbek GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov, Indian GM Leon Luke Mendonca, and top seed Iranian GM M. Amin Tabatabaei.
Quizon’s performance against six GMs, securing four wins and two losses, earned him 33.3 points and boosted his rating to 2490.3. He is now just shy of the 2500 rating needed to attain the Grandmaster title.
“I’m really happy because I’m so close to achieving my dream of becoming a GM,” Quizon expressed in a PhilStar report.
The National Chess Federation of the Philippines praised Quizon’s outstanding performance. “Congratulations to him. NCFP chairman/president Cong. (Butch) Pichay is really delighted with his performance, very impressive,” said NCFP CEO and national coach GM Jayson Gonzales. “Hopefully, his strong performance continues through the Olympiad.”
Quizon will next compete in the 45th World Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, from September 10 to 22, where he aims to reach the Grandmaster milestone.