Cavite wonder outshines veterans
A 13-year-old woodpusher from Dasmariñas, Cavite stole the limelight in the 10th Kidapawan Open Chess Tournament that came to a close on Sunday at the Kidapawan Convention Center.
Untitled Daniel Quizon rose to the top by earning a total of eight points in the nine-round Swiss System Format annual chessfest organized by the Kidapawan Chess Club Inc.
Quizon prevailed over Johnnel Balquin (7.5), Grand Master (GM) Darwin Laylo (7.5), National Master (NM) Rustum Tolentino (7.0) and Arena Grand Master (AGM) Henry Lopez (7.0) who occupied the next four places.
Rounding up the top 10 were Davao City's international master (IM) Oliver Dimakiling (6.5) at sixth, IM Ronald Dableo (6.5) seventh, Melchor Arcenas (6.5) eight, NM Alexander Lupian (6.5) ninth and Fide Master John Marvin Miciano (6.5) at 10th.
The 11th-seeded Quizon, who upset top seed IM Dimakiling second seed IM Ronald Dableo in the fifth and sixth rounds, respectively, pocketed the P25,000 champion's purse.
The youngest Kidapawan Open chess champion only lost once in the tournament, succumbing to third seed grand master (GM) Darwin Laylo in the seventh round.
Quizon's other victims were Dabawenyos Harrison Maamo, Fide master John Marvin Miciano and Rodrigo Catayas as well as Francis Xavier Guimalan and Joannah Love Marie Olay.
Organizers said a total of 97 players from different cities and provinces ompeted in the annual chessfest organized by the Kidapawan Chess Club Inc. and Batch 85 - Notre Dame of Kidapawan Boys and Girls HS Alumni Association Inc. in cooperation with the city government of Kidapawan. ABM WITH MLSAbalayan