In a brilliant display of chess mastery, Daniel Quizon emerged as the champion in the Philippine National Chess Championship after defeating Grandmaster John Paul Gomez in the final round.
Quizon’s strategic play, including a knight sacrifice, led to a 32-move victory in a King’s Indian showdown. This victory marks Quizon’s second national crown, having previously won three years ago.
The tournament showcased Quizon’s exceptional skills as he scored 9.5 points. Along with the championship title, Quizon earned a prize of P120,000 and secured a place in the national team coached by GM Eugene Torre for the FIDE World Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, scheduled for September.
IM Jem Garcia secured second place by drawing with FIDE Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca in a 30-move English duel. Garcia’s performance earned him a prize of P70,000 and an Olympiad spot.
Woman GM Janelle Mae Frayna, dressed in her Army battle uniform, finished third with 8.5 points. She won two pawns early on in her match against Samson Lim III, leading to a 33-move victory in another English encounter. However, a missed opportunity in her loss to GM Joey Antonio in the penultimate round prevented her from securing the top spot.
The tournament showcased the impressive skills and competitiveness of the participants, highlighting the talent within the Philippine chess community.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 8, 2023
