PRIOR to becoming the Philippines’ newest grandmaster, youth sensation Daniel Quizon had traveled long from Manila to compete and conquer the biggest chess tournament in Mindanao ahead of his grizzled GM rivals Darwin Laylo and Rogelio Antonio Jr and a bunch of the country’s leading International Masters and Fide Masters.
Now, the 20-year-old reigning Philippine champion will be back to defend his throne in the 3rd Governor Henry Oaminal Open Chess Festival on November 4-5 at the Asenso Global Gardens, Hoyohoy, Tangub City, Misamis Occidental.
“It’s a big honor for us Ozamiznons to have played host to one of the biggest chess events in Mindanao that unwittingly became part of the breeding ground for the country’s future grandmasters because we’re certain that somebody will follow in Daniel Quizon’s footsteps from Mindanao,” organizer Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo told Gold Star Daily.
The fast-rising Quizon, who impressively won the second edition of the Governor Oaminal-backed Fide-rated rapid chessfest then held at the AYA Hotel and Residences in Clarin, Misamis Occidental on July 9-10, 2024, broke the 2500 Elo barricade in the recent Budapest Chess Olympiad to become a full-fledged grandmaster.
With a total cash prize of nearly P500,000 expected to double, and even triple, the Misamis Occidental Chess Festival ― which has also special categories for those under 13 and 17 ― is guaranteed to be a sure-fire hit.
