Romeo Braceros Jr.

Photo: Genghis Imperial

The Philippines were the big winners in the blitz game of the 2022 Asian Juniors Blitz Chess Champion at Knights Templar Hotel Tagaytay City, Philippines, on November 25.

The young Filipino chessers won the top two places in the tournament participated in by some of the top young chess players in Asia.

International Master (IM), Daniel Maravilla Quizon from Dasmarinas City, Cavite, emerged as champion in the event after scoring seven points after nine rounds.

The second place went to another Filipino IM, Eric Labog Jr., who scored 6.5 points.

In the September ranking of FIDE, the governing body of chess players worldwide.

Quizon has reached the top eight of the FIDE ranking in the Philippines with a rating of 2420.

The highest-ranked men's chess player is Oliver Barbosa, 35, of Pasig City, with a rating of 2491.

Last August 29, Quizon won the 10th Mindanao Open Rapid Chess Championships held at the Provincial Capitol Rooftop in Amas, Kidapawan City, North Cotabato.

Quizon, who is backed by Dasmarinas City Rep. Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr. and national coach Fide Master Roel Abelgas, won the seven-round tournament hosted by Gov. Emmylou Lala Talino-Mendoza and sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, whose chairman/president Rep. Prospero "Butch" Arreza Pichay Jr., by scoring six points on five wins and two draws. 

Quizon tied for first-fourth place with Vince Angelo Medina of Cabuyao City, World Youngest Fide Master Alekhine Fabiosa Nouri of City San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, and National Master Elmer Sumngat of Tagbilaran City, Bohol, in the 25 minute plus 10-second increment rapid time control event supervised by Tournament Director NA Ronald Olay, Chief Arbiter IA James G. Infiesto, and Deputy Chief Arbiter. 

Quizon won the championship with the most tiebreaker points. Medina finished second, Nouri finished third, and Sumngat finished fourth overall.