Daniel Quizon blitzes way to Eastern Asia youth crown

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino teenage sensation International Master Daniel Quizon continued to shine abroad as he topped the blitz section of the premier 18-under open division of the Fourth Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championships in Bangkok, Thailand Saturday night.

Quizon went for a safe draw with Singapore’s Hee Wei Yang in the ninth and final round to formalize his claim on the crown, finishing with eight points, half a point ahead of countryman Eric Labog Jr., who downed Thailand’s Wimutti Ngamdethae for 7.5 points.

It was another impressive performance for the rising star from Dasmariñas, Cavite, who also emerged the blitz king in the Asian Juniors in Solo, Indonesia last month. He also topped the Southeast Asian Games qualifier that drew the country’s top Filipino Grandmasters and Olympiad veterans.

Quizon’s triumph also underscored the Filipinos’ domination of the event as Allaney Jia Doroy (girls’ U16-18), Mark Jay Bacojo (open U14), Reulle Canino (girls’ U12) and Franiel Angela Magpily (girls’ U10) topped their respective divisions.

Canino swept all her nine matches to win by two over Phl bet Kay Lalaine Regidor, who ended up with seven points with another Filipina, April Joy Claros, finishing third with 5.5 points.

Doroy, on the other hand, halved the point with 14-year-old Ruth Joy Vinuya to clinch the crown with 7.5 points, Bacojo scored eight points while Magpily drew with Indonesian Aura Cahyati Alifan in the last round to finish with 8.5 points.