FRONTRUNNER. A photo of International Master Daniel Quizon during the Open division of the Eastern Asia Juniors and Girls Chess Championship at the Sabah Oriental Hotel in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia on Dec. 5, 2023. Quizon remains on top of the standings after a win over National Master Jerish John Velarde in the ninth round of the Philippine National Chess Championships at the Marikina Community Convention Center Jan. 4, 2024. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – International Master Daniel Quizon fortified his hold of the top spot with a victory over National Master Jerish John Velarde in the ninth round of the Philippine National Chess Championship at Marikina Community Convention Center.
Quizon from Dasmariñas City, Cavite defeated Velarde in 26 moves of Benoni Defense on Thursday night to secure 7.5 points in the 13-round event presented by Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro and 1st District Rep. Maan Teodoro.
The 19-year-old Quizon is eyeing a repeat of his title victory three years ago in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu aside from claiming the PHP120,000 top purse and one of three slots in the national team joining the Chess Olympiad from Sept. 10 to 23 in Budapest, Hungary.
IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna and Grandmaster John Paul Gomez have similar 6.5 points.
Garcia downed GM Joey Antonio in 40 moves of an English Opening, Frayna drew with IM Paulo Bersamina in 39 moves of a Reti Opening, while Gomez beat IM Barlo Nadera in 56 moves of a Torre Attack.
Tied for fifth with 5.5 points were NM Vince Angelo Medina, Bersamina and Fide Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca.
Medina prevailed over Fide Master Mark Jay Bacojo in 48 moves of Benoni, while Arca split the points with GM Darwin Laylo after 61 moves of a Slav Defense.
Bacojo ranked No. 8 with 5.0 points followed by Laylo and Antonio (4.0), Nadera (2.5), Samson Chiu Chin Lim III (2.0), Velarde (1.5) and WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego (0.5).
The 14-player competition is supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines chair and president Prospero Pichay Jr., Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission chair Richard Bachmann, the Eugene Torre Chess Foundation and Pan de Amerikana’s Jundio Salvador. (PNA)
