Daniel Quizon grounded fellow International Master Michael Concio, Jr. in 39 moves of a Benko Gambit on Sunday to solidify his grip on the solo lead after six rounds of the 2021 Philippine National Chess Championship at the Solea Hotel and Resort in Mactan, Cebu.
It was the 17-year-old Quizon’s sixth straight victory that kept him well entrenched at the top with six points, or a full two points ahead of closest pursuers IMs Ronald Dableo and Ricky de Guzman.
The 42-year-old Dableo, rated just 2407 but could clinch the GM title if he reaches the 2500-rating plateau, stopped de Guzman in 62 moves of a King’s Indian Defense to catch up on the latter at No. 2 with four points apiece.
Quizon, a Southeast Asian Games and World Cup veteran, was attempting to put more separation as he was clashing with de Guzman in the seventh round being played at press time.
Quizon won the battle between the tournament’s two youngest participants by seizing a pawn advantage in the opening that he converted into an unstoppable central pawn storm.
The recent result pushed Quizon closer to claiming the top purse worth P80,000 and a spot to the national team seeing action in next year’s Hanoi Southeast Asian Games and the 2023 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Bangkok and Chonburi, Thailand.
A triumph in this event backed by PSC chair Butch Ramirez, NCFP chief Butch Pichay, POC head Bambol Tolentino, PCSO general manager Royina Garma, Chess Movement, Inc. chair Dr. Ariel Potot and Atty. Roel Canobas should also give Quizon confidence as he resumes his Grandmaster title quest.
At joint fourth with 3.5 points apiece were IMs Paulo Bersamina and Jan Emmanuel Garcia, who agreed to a quick draw.
With three points each were IMs John Marvin Miciano, who smashed Allan Pason in 48 moves of a Caro-kann Defense, and Joel Pimentel, who bested Woman GM Janelle Mae Frayna in 61 moves of a Gruenfeld Defense.
The only other result of the round saw GMs Joey Antonio and Darwin Laylo splitting the point in 31 moves of a Petroff Defense.