
International Master Daniel Quizon lived up to his potential as the country's next big thing after dominating the 2021 National Chess Championships at the Solea Hotel and Resort in Mactan, Cebu on Tuesday.
The 17-year-old Quizon finished with 8.5 points on six wins and five draws to claim the trophy and the P80,000 champion’s purse.
The victory also earned Quizon a spot in next year’s 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam and the 2023 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Thailand.
The World Cupper also became the youngest to win the event since Wesley So prevailed in the 2009 Battle of the Grandmasters, then considered the National Championship, at 16 years old.
Quizon’s 36-move draw with IM Ronald Dableo of a King’s Indian Attack in the 11th and final round was just a formality after virtually clinching the title in the 10th round.
De Guzman, meanwhile, settled for second place after finishing 1.5 points Quizon behind with 7 points following a victory via time forfeiture over Grandmaster Joey Antonio in 37 moves of a Ruy Lopez.
Dableo and GM Darwin Laylo came in third and fourth with 6.5 points each.
The event was being supported by Barkadahan Para sa Bansa partylist, Philippine Sports Commission, CCLEX, Metro Pacific Tollways (MPTC), Alin Cargo, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, POC president Bambol Tolentino, Chess Movement Inc., chair Dr. Ariel Potot, RiChess Masters and Atty. Roel Canobas.