Filipino IM Daniel Quizon shines in Abu Dhabi Chess Festival, nears GM title

Daniel Quizon, a 20-year-old Filipino International Master, made waves in the chess world over the weekend as he tied for first place in the 30th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival in the United Arab Emirates. Despite eventually finishing sixth after tiebreaks, Quizon’s performance was nothing short of spectacular.

Quizon managed to catch four Grandmasters, including the 10th seed Sunilduth Lyna Narayana of India, whom he defeated in a thrilling King’s Indian showdown. This victory propelled him to a six-player tie for first place with seven points. With a performance rating equal to super-GM level at 2749, Quizon showcased his exceptional skills on the board.

Although Uzbek GM Nodirbek Yakubboev ultimately claimed the top spot, Quizon’s impressive performance against top-tier competition earned him praise from the National Chess Federation of the Philippines. With his rating now at 2490.3, Quizon is just a stone’s throw away from reaching the coveted 2500 level and securing an automatic GM title.

Looking ahead, Quizon is set to join the national team at the 45th World Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary. His success in Abu Dhabi has fueled his determination to achieve his dream of becoming a Grandmaster, and the chess community is eagerly anticipating his continued growth and success on the international stage.