This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Dasmariñas City pride Daniel Quizon becomes the Philippines’ latest Grandmaster, clinching the coveted title just as the national men’s team climbs in the FIDE Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary
MANILA, Philippines – Filipino Daniel Quizon earned his dream Grandmaster title on a dominant day for the Filipinos in the FIDE Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary on Saturday, September 14 (Sunday, September 15, Manila time).
Quizon, a 20-year-old whiz from Dasmariñas City, Cavite, outlasted Grandmaster Igor Efimov, a 64-year-old Georgian émigré, in 37 moves of a King’s Indian duel to earn the two rating points needed to breach the 2500 plateau and claim the coveted GM title.
“Sobrang saya po (I’m very happy),” said Quizon, who will receive P1 million from Dasmariñas as reward for the feat.
Quizon’s milestone came just as the Philippines scored a 4-0 shutout of Monaco — a victory that catapulted the national men’s squad, seeded 51st out of a record 197 teams, closer to the top 10 after four rounds.
The Philippine team, which includes GM Julio Catalino Sadorra and International Masters Pau Bersamina and Jan Emmanuel Garcia, climbed to 13th place in a 25-country lagjam with six match points each.
Slovenia, seeded 26th, will be the Filipinos’ next foe in the fifth round of the 11-round tournament.
The Filipinos’ glorious moment trickled down to the women’s side as the giant-slaying Shania Mae Mendoza, on top board, led the Philippines to a 4-0 demolition of El Salvador.
Mendoza survived Andrea Cortez, who blundered away her winning and drawing chances that allowed the 26-year-old Sta. Rosa, Laguna native to escape with a 60-move win of a razor-sharp Sicilian duel.
Janelle Mae Frayna, Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Bernadette Galas, meanwhile, were merciless in disposing of their respective foes in the lower boards as the Filipinas also rose to No. 13 in a 30-nation tie.
“Actually, I didn’t expect to win my other games. I’m just doing my best,” said Mendoza as the Filipinas play No. 24 Italy next.
In the overall race in the Open section, powerhouse India continued to hold sway as it clobbered France, 3.5-.5 to share the lead with seven others on pristine scores of eight points apiece including Southeast Asian powerhouse Vietnam, which shocked defending champion Uzbekistan, 3-0.
Also in that group were the Ukrainians, who stunned top seed United States in a 2.5-1.5 result that was sealed by old guard Vasyl Ivanchuk’s earthshaking win over Philippine-born Wesley So on second board. – Rappler.com
