ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Filipino chess prodigy, International Master Daniel Quizon, secured sixth place in the prestigious 30th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival Masters division after defeating Indian Grandmaster Sunilduth Lyna Narayanan in the final round on Saturday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the 20-year-old from Dasmariñas, Cavite, concluded the nine-round event with a total of seven points. Uzbekistan’s GM Yakubboev Nodirbek claimed the top spot, with Russia’s GM David Paravyan and Uzbekistan’s GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov rounding out the top three. They were followed by GM Leon Luke Mendonca of India and GM M. Amin Tabatabaei of Iran.
Quizon’s victory in Abu Dhabi not only elevated his standing but also improved his International Chess Federation (FIDE) rating to 2490, up from 2457, edging him closer to the 2500 mark required to achieve the Grandmaster title. “I’m happy with my performance because I gained Elo rating points,” Quizon remarked following his matches.
Looking ahead, Quizon is set to participate in the World Chess Olympiad, which will take place from September 10 to 22 in Budapest, Hungary. He will be joined by fellow GMs Julio Catalino Sadorra and John Paul Gomez, as well as IMs Paolo Bersamina and Jan Emmanuel Garcia, with the legendary GM Eugene Torre serving as the team coach.