Daniel Quizon displays Grandmaster moves

MANILA, Philippines — Teenage sensation Daniel Quizon shocked Grandmaster Darwin Laylo in 48 moves of a Scandinavian duel yesterday to lead the way after 16 rounds of the blitz section of the National Southeast Asian Games qualifier at the Alphaland Makati Place.

Quizon, a 15-year-old International Master and reigning Asian Junior blitz champion, has 9.5 points at press time and stayed on course to clinching one of the slots staked for the national team representing the country in the biennial meet slated in November in Subic.

But it is still a long way to go for the Dasmariñas, Cavite-based bet, who is being tipped as Phl chess’ next big thing, as there are still four days to play before he could realize his bid of playing in the SEAG and possibly snaring his very first medal there.

Laylo slipped from the joint lead to second with 8.5 points while IM Paulo Bersamina, who turned back IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, moved up to third with eight points.

GM John Paul Gomez was at fourth with 7.5 points, followed by GM Joey Antonio and FIDE Master Narquinden Reyes with seven points apiece.

The rest of the core team, who all made it through a series of qualifying tournaments, were Garcia (6.5), FM Mari Turqueza (6) and IM Ronald Bancod (4).

Asian Para Games and ASEAN Para Games multiple gold medalist FM Sander Severino advanced this far but begged off in the last minute due to health reasons.

The top three placers here will advance to the final stage where they will battle each other in another series of matches with the top two eventually clinching regular spots to the Phl squad and the third one ending up the alternate.