TWO young woodpushers Daniel Quizon and Michael Concio Jr. are upbeat of their coming participation in the 19th ASEAN Age Group Chess Championships to be held in Davao City this June.
They will get a chance to earn FIDE Master norms that will be at stake for the first time in the lower age levels of 16, 14 and 12.
“Sana makapasok ulit ako sa qualifiers,” said the 13-year-old Quizon, who won three gold medals the last time it was held in Kuala Lumpur last November.
He took home the individual medals in the standard, rapid and blitz categories and 14-under division.
On the other hand, Concio claimed a silver in the under-12 rapid action.
Because of this, Concio feels that it will be his chance to come with better finishes this time around.
“Expected ko po ito,” said Concio, who is playing out of Dasmarinas, Cavite, just like Quizon.
In the higher age-group categories, international master titles will be up for grabs in the 20-under and 18-under action.
Organizers are expecting 500 participants from 11 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to join, along with those from Hong Kong, Macau, Chinese Taipei and South Korea.
The last time around, the Philippines won the overall crown when it was held last November in Kuala Lumpur.
Filipino woodpushers collected a total of 28 golds, 29 silvers and 29 bronzes.
Indonesia was second with its 10-5-5 gold-silver-bronze performance.
National Chess Federation of the Philippines president Prospero Pichay said having the tournament played in Davao City is very significant and after Martial Law was extended for another year in Mindanao.
“The President (Duterte) has declared martial law and extended it for a year in Mindanao. This tournament will showcase that Mindanao is a peaceful place and we can show this to the world,” said Pichay.