International Master (IM) Daniel Quizon held fellow IM Michael Concio Jr. to a draw in the ninth round to claim victory in the 2nd Gov. Henry Oaminal Open rapid chess tournament held on Wednesday at the AYA Hotel and Residences in Clarin, Misamis Occidental.
Quizon, member of the star-studded Dasmariñas Chess Academy, tallied 7.5 points (six wins and three draws) to pocket the PHP100,000 top prize offered in the event held in celebration of the Ozamiz City's 76th founding anniversary and the feast of Nuestra Sra. dela Concepcion y del Triunfo de Migpangi.
"I am happy to have won the 2nd Gov. Henry Oaminal Open Chess Tournament. I wish that my luck would remain the same in my next tournament," said the 19-year-old Quizon, who needed to improve his current rating of 2460 to 2500 to complete his Grandmaster (GM) title status.
Concio, GM Darwin Laylo of Dasmariñas, Cavite, and IM Eric Labog Jr. of Solano, Nueva Vizcaya also scored 7.5 points each but had to settle for second, third, and fourth. They received PHP60,000, PHP40,000 and PHP20,000, respectively.
National Masters (NMs) Joey Albert Florendo (Zamboanga City) and Rodney Opada (Ozamis City) had identical 7.0 points while FIDE Masters (FMs) David Elorta (Manila), Johnnel Balquin and Nazario Ubanan (Cagayan de Oro City), Michel Jackson Ambuang (Dipolog City), FM Roel Abelgas (Dasmariñas, Cavite), Abdelmunim Hassan (Jolo, Sulu), Arena Grand Master (AGM) Julius Dan Augustine Ablin (Iligan City), Jeriel Manlimbana (Malaybalay, Bukidnon) and Johnny Wellem Carzano (Tangub City) finished with similar 6.5 points.
In the junior category, Quarl Maverick Vera Cruz of Balingoan, Misamis Oriental ruled the elementary division while NM Keith Adriane Ilar of El Salvador, Misamis Oriental dominated the high school division. High School division. Each got PHP60,000.
Asia's First Grandmaster and World Chess Hall of Fame awardee Eugene Torre awarded the prizes to all the winners. He also made the ceremonial moves on opening day with Misamis Occidental Gov. Henry Oaminal.
"The event is aimed at developing good thinkers through the understanding of chess strategies and tactics, improving the logical abilities and rational thinking and reasoning of the participants, and instilling a sense of self-confidence, self-worth and camaraderie," said tournament director Rey Cris Urbiztondo, an online Arena Grandmaster. He also serves as director of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by Prospero "Butch" Arreza Pichay Jr.
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