Daniel Quizon embarks on a quest to finally claim his dream Grandmaster title as he spearheads the Philippine team flying today for the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad unfolding Wednesday, Sept. 11, up to Sept. 22 in Budapest, Hungary.

The 20-year-old International Master could claim the GM title outright in the Hungarian capital as he is just 10 rating points away from breaching the 2500-mark after a strong performance in the ultra competitive Abu Dhabi event a month ago.

Quizon will leave the country along with teammates GM John Paul Gomez, IMs Jem Garcia and Paolo Bersmina, coach GM Eugene Torre and head of delegation Atty. Roel Canobas.

Also flying to Budapest are women’s team mainstays WGM Janelle Mae Frayna, Bernadette Galas, Ruelle Canino and Shania Mae Mendoza and women’s coach GM Jayson Gonzales.

There is now word yet if Jan Jodilyn Fronda has resolved her visa issue but there was optimism that she would.

Men’s top board player GM Inno Sadorra, for his part, will leave the United States Wednesday and will arrive in Budapest the next day.

He would miss the first two rounds but should play on the third.

In Sadorra’s absence, Quizon, who will reportedly be assigned Board Two, might just man the top board on the former’s behalf.

The team had an intimate sendoff at the Pan de Amerikana in Marikina City yesterday that was attended by National Chess Federation of the Philippines officials including chairman/president Butch Pichay.

The men’s side will be eyeing to improve on a 32nd-place finish in Chennai, India two years ago while the women’s is hoping to eclipse its 39th-place effort.