MANILA – International Master Daniel Quizon outlasted International Master Joel Pimentel to assume the solo lead after the 2nd round of the 2021 Philippine National Chess Championship (Barkadahan Para sa Bansa) FIDE-rated over-the-board Chess Championships held at the Solea Hotel and Resort in Mactan, Cebu on Friday (Dec. 10).
Quizon of Dasmarinas City, Cavite played superbly to clinch the win over Pimentel after 83 moves using the Gruenfeld defense in the tough, 12-player-field, single-round tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).
The win enabled Quizon to grab the solo lead with 2 points, just a half-a-point ahead of IM Paulo Bersamina and IM Ricardo de Guzman.
Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. also rebounded following a victory over his rivals in the second round.
Antonio, who lost to Bersamina in the first round on Thursday (Dec. 9), defeated IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia to score a full point. It was the same output of Pimentel, GM Darwin Laylo, WGM Janelle Mae Frayna, and IM Ronald Dableo.
The 13-time Philippine Open Champion Antonio prevailed after 43 moves of using the Ruy Lopez Opening.
In other second-round results, Frayna settled a truce with Dableo after 20 moves of French defense and Laylo drew with IM John Marvin Miciano after 58 moves of Dutch defense.
Aside from a slot to the AIMAG set in Bangkok and Chonburi, Thailand in 2023, a P80,000 purse awaits the champion. The second and third placers will receive P50,000 and P25,000, respectively. (PR) – bny
