News – Page 52 – Asian Chess

All Set for Asian Juniors and Girls Chess Championships in Philippines

The father and daughter tandem of Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Cavite Vice Governor Athena Tolentino of Cavite will jointly host the Asian and Girls’ chess tournament. Athena is the first Vice President of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines while the elder Tolentino is also the President of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

The Asian Juniors and Girls Chess Championships are scheduled 11-20 October 2024 at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay City. The event is organized by the City of Tagaytay under the auspices of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the Asian Chess Federation and the National Chess Federation of the Philippines in cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.

Download Regulations_of_the_Asian_Juniors_and_Girls_2024

There will be Standard, Rapid and Blitz championships for boys and girls with gold, silver and bronze medals at stake.

The championship shall be conducted in the Swiss System of 9 rounds, using the Swiss Manager Program for Standard, Rapid and Blitz.

Triumphant moments: Celebrating the winners of 45th Chess Olympiad

The Closing Ceremony of the 45th Chess Olympiad was held at the BOK Sports and Conference Centre, the event’s main venue. The stage was set, transforming the tournament’s playing hall into a celebratory space.

Before the ceremony began, players, officials, and guests took their seats while the final press conference was held in the Olympiad’s press center. Members of the victorious Indian teams participated, including Srinath Narayanan, Captain of the Indian Open Team; Gukesh D, Board One of the Indian Open Team; Arjun Erigaisi, Board Three of the Indian Open Team; Abhijit Kunte, Captain of the Women’s Team; Harika Dronavalli, Board One of the Indian Women’s Team; and Divya Deshmukh, Board Three of the Indian Women’s Team. The atmosphere was light-hearted, with players shedding the seriousness and pressure of the tournament and all smiling.

Gukesh D: “It was a very nice experience for me personally and for the team. I am super happy with how I played and how we performed together as a team. Right now, I feel a bit tired since the adrenaline is out, but I am super happy with how things went. This was a dream.”

Divya Deshmukh: “It started off quite well, but in the middle, we had a few setbacks. I am really proud of how we handled it. We fought back with resilience, and finally, we are here with the gold medal. I am overwhelmed with emotions.”

Harika Dronavalli: “For me, it is much more emotional than for the others. I’ve been playing for 20 years to see a gold medal, and I am glad that finally, I see India on top of the podium. I am happy and proud of the girls. The youngsters came up on the team, and they did extremely well.”

At the conclusion of the press conference, the participants moved to the award ceremony hall together with the journalists.

Welcome speeches were delivered by Zoltán Polyánszky, President of the Hungarian Chess Federation, and Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President.

Arkady Dvorkovich said: “Over the past two weeks, we’ve witnessed history being made here in Budapest. From all corners of the globe, top players, living legends, and future champions have competed for the most prestigious team title in our sport – the title of Chess Olympiad Champions. Among the nearly 200 nations that participated, one country stood a step ahead of the rest. I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to India for their remarkable achievement of winning Olympic gold in both the Open and Women’s competitions!”

The FIDE President thanked the teams and their captains, the Hungarian Chess Federation, the local organizing team, the FIDE team, the arbiters, fair play officers, the appeals commission, the broadcast teams, and every single person who worked behind the scenes to ensure that both the Olympiad and the General Assembly ran smoothly.

And with that, the Chief Arbiter Ivan Syrovy and Deputy Chief Arbiter Sabrina de San Bicente entered the stage, and the award ceremony started.

This Olympiad became the biggest in history, with 188 teams in the Open and 169 teams in the women’s section. Not all of them contested for the highest places, but to mark their achievements, special prizes in rating categories were awarded. Tshepiso Lopang, President of the African Chess Confederation, and Jose Antonio Carrillo, President of the Confederation of Chess for Americas, were invited to the stage to award the prize-winning teams in categories E, D, and C. Timur Turlov, President of Kazakhstan Chess Federation, awarded the teams in categories B and A.

Open, Group A: China, Serbia, Armenia
Women, Group A: Spain, Armenia, Georgia
Open, Group B: Turkmenistan, Latvia, Kazakhstan
Women, Group B: Philippines, Montenegro, Latvia
Open, Group C: Ecuador, Zimbabwe, Tajikistan
Women, Group C: Turkmenistan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka
Open, Group D: Sri Lanka, Liechtenstein, Pakistan
Women, Group D: Hong Kong, China; Thailand, Mozambique
Open, Group E: Myanmar, Qatar, Eswatini
Women, Group E: Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Netherlands Antilles

A dance performance combining Hungarian folk dance heritage and youthful energy marked the transition to the next part of the closing ceremony. The Chess Olympiad is a vibrant mosaic of styles, colors, and designs, and it has become a tradition to choose the best chess uniforms worn by the teams. The special jury had a tough job selecting the winners, and here are the awardees:

Women’s section, best classic team uniform: CAYMAN ISLANDS
Open section, best classic team uniform: ESWATINI
Women’s section, best sport team uniform: BARBADOS
Open section, best sport team uniform: ST. LUCIA
Women’s section, best original team uniform: ETHIOPIA
Open section, best original team uniform: VANUATU

The awards were given by Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board.

The ceremony continued with a captivating performance by Juga, a Chilean singer and songwriter renowned for her chess-inspired songs and videos. She sang “Colorblind,” an ode to chess, and later delighted the audience with one of her most popular pieces, “Oh, Capablanca.”

The Chess Olympiad is a team event, but the best individual performances are also highly valued and awarded with medals. Let’s celebrate all the winners, the best players on their boards who were the driving forces of their teams!

Open – Board 1:

Gold: Gukesh D, India
Silver: Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Uzbekistan
Bronze: Magnus Carlsen, Norway

Women – Board 1:

Gold: Zhu Jiner, China
Silver: Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, Spain
Bronze: Nana Dzagnidze, Georgia

Open – Board 2:

Gold: Nguyen Thai Dai Van, Czech Republic
Silver: Toni Lazov, North Macedonia
Bronze: Ediz Gurel, Turkiye

Women – Board 2:

Gold: Carissa Yip, USA
Silver: Elisabeth Paehtz, Germany
Bronze: Song Yuxin, China

Open – Board 3:

Gold: Arjun Erigaisi, India
Silver: Yu Yangyi, China
Bronze: Le Tuan Minh, Vietnam

Women – Board 3:

Gold: Divya Deshmukh, India
Silver: Sabrina Vega Gutierrez, Spain
Bronze: Elina Danielian, Armenia

Open – Board 4:

Gold: Shamsiddin Vokhidov, Uzbekistan
Silver: Levon Aronian, USA
Bronze: Alan Pichot, Spain

Women – Board 4:

Gold: Vantika Agrawal, India
Silver: Alice Lee, USA
Bronze: Anna M. Sargsyan, Armenia

Open – Reserve Board:

Gold: Frederik Svane, Germany
Silver: Benjamin Gledura, Hungary
Bronze: Velimir Ivic, Serbia

Women – Reserve Board:

Gold: Dana Kochavi, Israel
Silver: Nodira Nadirjanova, Uzbekistan
Bronze: Lu Miaoyi, China

Former world champions, grandmasters Zhu Chen and Xie Jun, awarded the winners on the reserve board and board four. Hungarian chess legends Sofia and Susan Polgar presented the awards for boards three and two. Zoltán Polyánszky, along with legendary grandmaster Lajos Portisch, honored the winners on board one.

The grand finale of the prize-giving ceremony was the celebration of the overall winners. Five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand and the greatest female chess player of all time, Judit Polgar, had the honor of presenting the prizes to those whose names will now be etched in the history of chess as the champions of the 45th Chess Olympiad.

In the women’s section, the bronze medal was awarded to team USA, while the silver medal went to team Kazakhstan. The gold medals and the Vera Menchik Cup—a trophy that remains with the winners for two years until the next Olympiad and bears the names of all past champions—were awarded to team India, accompanied by the playing of the Indian national anthem.

In the open section, the bronze medal went to Uzbekistan, and the silver medals were awarded to team USA. The winners of the 45th Chess Olympiad, Team India, received the gold medals and the Hamilton-Russell Cup, the original Olympiad trophy created in 1927 and named after its donor, British attorney and chess sponsor Frederick Gustavus Hamilton-Russell. The national anthem was rendered to honor the winning team.

The Gaprindashvili Cup, a special trophy awarded for the best combined result in the Open and Women’s sections, was also claimed by team India. It was presented by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and Nona Gaprindashvili, the legendary Georgian player, former women’s world champion, and the first woman to become a grandmaster.

A dazzling music and dance performance set the mood for the final moments of the ceremony. The torch of the Chess Olympiad was passed to the President of the Uzbekistan Chess Federation, Alisher Sadulayev and Nodirbek Abdusattorov. The vibrant city of Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital, will host the 46th Chess Olympiad in 2026.

After the public rose for the FIDE anthem, the FIDE President declared the 45th Chess Olympiad closed.

Written by WGM Anna Burtasova

Photos: Michal Walusza, Mark Livshitz, Maria Emelianova and Stev Bonhage

See more photos of the 45th Chess Olympiad closing ceremony on FIDE Flickr

Official website: chessolympiad2024.fide.com

Uzbekistan’s Chess Triumph at the 45th World Chess Olympiad in Budapest

The 45th World Chess Olympiad held in Budapest, Hungary, witnessed remarkable performances from the Uzbek chess teams, showcasing their talent and determination on the global stage. The men’s team clinched the bronze medal, securing a prestigious third place, while the women’s team made significant strides, rising 17 points to share the 7th to 12th positions in the overall world ranking of the event.

Uzbekistan’s success at the Olympiad was not just limited to team achievements; individual players also shone brightly.

Notably, Nodirbek Abdusattorov (above left), excelled on the first board, finishing in an impressive second place. His strategic prowess and skillful play were pivotal in leading the men’s team to their bronze medal victory.

On the fourth board, Shamsiddin Vokhidov (above center) emerged as a standout performer, securing the top position and further solidifying Uzbekistan’s reputation in international chess.

Meanwhile, Nodirjanova Nodira (above) showcased her talent by claiming second place on the fifth board, contributing significantly to the team’s overall performance.

The closing ceremony of the Olympiad was marked by a symbolic passing of the FIDE flag and Olympic flame to Nodirbek Abdusattorov, representing not only his individual achievements but also the collective success of the Uzbek chess delegation.

In summary, Uzbekistan’s performance at the 45th World Chess Olympiad was a testament to their hard work and dedication. With a bronze medal for the men’s team and commendable rankings for individual players, Uzbekistan continues to establish itself as a formidable force in the world of chess.

India triumphs at 45th Chess Olympiad, winning both Open and Women’s competitions

India has come a long way since Vishy Anand paved the way for the new generation of chess players. Young talents have emerged and grown to become some of the top players in the world. Gukesh D triumphed at the Candidates Tournament earlier this year, and now India has completely dominated the 45th Chess Olympiad.

The team of Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa R, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, and Harikrishna Pentala, with Srinath Narayanan as the captain, led throughout the tournament, winning 10 matches and drawing just one. Before the last round, they were 2 points ahead of China. In the final round, India only needed a draw to clinch the gold medals or for China not to win their match. However, India continued to press for a win and defeated Slovenia 3.5-0.5.

Gukesh played a phenomenal tournament, scoring 9 points in 10 games and earning the individual gold medal on the top board. Arjun Erigaisi was also a hero of the team, scoring 10 points in 11 games and winning individual gold on board three. Both significantly improved their FIDE ratings and are close to clearing the 2800 bar. In fact, Erigaisi is only a couple of points short of this feat.

The women’s team had a very strong start, leading the event after 7 rounds, having won all their matches. They stumbled in round 8, losing to Poland and then drawing with Team USA, but made a strong finish. Going into the final round, India was tied for first with Kazakhstan, and the race for the medals was down to the wire.

The team of Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali R, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal, and Tania Sachdev, with Abhijit Kunte as the captain, demonstrated excellent composure and delivered, winning the final match against Azerbaijan 3.5-0.5. At the same time, Kazakhstan only drew with the USA 2-2, making India the sole winners of the event.

18-year-old Divya Deshmukh, a new addition to the team, was unstoppable throughout the event. She played all games, scored 9.5 points, and secured the crucial victory in the final match. Individual gold on board three is a well-deserved award for her.

The fight for silver and bronze medals was fierce in both sections. Five teams tied for second place. Team USA, the event’s rating favorite, defeated China in a hard-fought final round to join them at 17 points. Defending champions Uzbekistan narrowly beat France, Serbia triumphed over Ukraine 3.5-0.5, and Armenia narrowly defeated Iran, all to join the pack at 17 points. The tiebreaks favored the USA, which claimed silver, and Uzbekistan, taking bronze.

In the women’s section, Kazakhstan delivered a strong performance throughout the event, fighting for gold until the very end, and ultimately claimed silver. Four teams – USA, Spain, Armenia, and Georgia – tied for third place, but the tiebreaks favored team USA, which claimed the bronze medals.

Results of the top matches in the final round:

Open:

(16) Slovenia 0.5-3.5 India (19)
(17) China 1.5-2.5 USA (15)
(15) Spain 2-2 Hungary (15)
(15) Uzbekistan 2.5-1.5 France (15)
(15) Serbia 3.5-0.5 Ukraine (15)
(15) Armenia 2.5-1.5 Iran (14)

Women:

(17) Kazakhstan 2-2 USA (16)
(17) India 3.5-0.5 Azerbaijan (15)
(16) Poland 0.5-3.5 Georgia (15)
(15) Hungary 0.5-3.5 Spain (15)
(15) Armenia 3-1 Germany (14)

Final standings of the top teams:

Open:

India – 21
USA – 17
Uzbekistan – 17
China – 17
Serbia – 17
Armenia – 17
Germany – 16
Azerbaijan – 16
Slovenia – 16
Spain – 16

Women:

India – 19
Kazakhstan – 18
USA – 17
Spain – 17
Armenia – 17
Georgia – 17
China – 16
Ukraine – 16
Poland – 16
Bulgaria – 16

Full results: Chess-results.com – 45th Chess Olympiad

Written by WGM Anna Burtasova

Photos: Michal Walusza, Mark Livshitz and Maria Emelianova

See more Round 11 photos on FIDE Flickr

Official website: chessolympiad2024.fide.com

From India triumphs at 45th Chess Olympiad, winning both Open and Women’s competitions (fide.com)

Asian Chess Federation Announces Esports Focus with Echess

Exclusive Innovative Strategy Expands Reach of Traditional Game to Billions in line with Olympic Vision

Budapest, Hungary –

During the FIDE Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, the Asian Chess Federation (ACF) announced a groundbreaking initiative called echess, signalling a major shift towards embracing esports and chess position as an official IOC-recognized sport. This initiative is being launched in partnership with Checkmate Live, ACF’s official online broadcast, data, and tournament platform partner.

Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of the Asian Chess Federation, said during his opening remarks, “As the Asian Chess Federation is well-known for its initiatives, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all of us to be pioneers in electronic chess. Both the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia are increasingly integrating esports into their events, and chess, being recognized as an esport, has a unique opportunity to shine in this space. In light of this, I am pleased to announce that we are adopting what we will call the ‘Echess Initiative.’ This will position us at the forefront of the electronic chess movement, ensuring that Asia leads the way in innovation and progress within the world of chess.”

Levelling up Online Chess

With a global base of over 700 million over-the-board (OTB) chess players, with a significant share sitting under the Asian Chess Federation’s territory, the online chess landscape has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years, with leading online platforms seeing their user bases expand by over 400% since 2020. This explosive growth underscores the increasing popularity of online chess and the need for innovative solutions to meet the demands of modern players, while complementing the rich tradition of OTB chess.

Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Bin Sultan Al Nahyan commented on the initiative: “Our echess initiative, developed with our partner Checkmate Live, represents a significant step forward in our mission to promote chess across Asia. By embracing emerging technologies and leveraging our status as an IOC-recognized sport, we’re not only enhancing the player experience but also opening up new opportunities for growth in both traditional chess and esports.”

David Jenns, Director of International Relations, who also spoke during the congress, “This is a considerable leadership and vision by His Highness Sheikh Sultan. There are over six billion gamers globally, many of them have interest in online chess. This gives the Asian Chess Federation the opportunity to extend its reach and opportunities to the region and enhance its mission that promotes sporting integrity and 21st century technology. The response from delegates and federations who love OTB but want to leverage and benefit from the best that technology can offer has been overwhelming. This partnership between ACF and Checkmate represents a significant step towards bridging the gap between traditional chess, online and the age of AI.”

Looking to the Future

This initiative comes at an exciting time for chess in Asia, with Abu Dhabi set to host the 2028 Chess Olympiad. The ACF sees this as an opportunity to showcase the region’s commitment to innovation in chess and esports.

Hisham Al Taher, Secretary-General of the ACF, added, “With echess and our partnership with Checkmate Live, we’re well-positioned to deliver an unforgettable experience that bridges the gap between traditional chess and the digital age, while reinforcing our standing in the Olympic movement.”

As the chess world continues to evolve, the Asian Chess Federation, through its echess initiative and partnership with Checkmate Live, is at the forefront, ready to shape the future of the game for generations to come. The ACF echess programme will commence in October and will host a series of Official ACF tournaments and education events aimed to enhance the confederations mission. National Federations will have the opportunity to also hold echess player and community programmes.

Any Federation wishing to participate in this programme should register at checkmate.live/echess

What is Echess?

Echess is the Asian Chess Federation’s (ACF) innovative initiative that fuses traditional chess with the dynamic world of esports. It features online supervised speed chess, fast-paced tournament formats, and speedruns for official ACF ratings. Designed for a global online audience, echess offers blitz, bullet, and rapid games, catering to players who thrive in high-intensity competitions. By integrating modern competition and esports formats, echess claims its rightful title of the King of Esports and Sports, positioning chess at the forefront of the global esports arena.

For more information, please contact:

Checkmate Live
David Jenns MA LLM FRGS

Director International Relations

+971506180752

david@whitewolfconsultancy.com

Asian Chess Federation

Hisham Al Taher
Secretary-General
Asian Chess Federation

asianchessfederation@yahoo.com

About the Asian Chess Federation

The Asian Chess Federation, (ACF), is the international governing body of chess across the Asian Continent. As the largest continental federation, the ACF’s membership comprises 55 national associations across Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania. Its headquarters are in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates, and its President is His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
https://asianchess.com/

About Checkmate Live

Checkmate Live is the ACF’s official online broadcast, data, and tournament platform partner.
Key Features of Checkmate Live:

Sixth-i: A proprietary AI-powered anti-cheat system that maintains the integrity of online competitions
Arbiter Mode: Cloud-based monitoring system with Sixth-i Anti-cheat co-pilot, providing Federation partners with powerful tools to supervise official competitions
Integrated blockchain technology for transparent rights management
Evidence-based and Blackbox AI integrations: Advanced AI techniques for robust and unbiased fair play detection, prevention and enforcement

https://www.checkmate.live/

Asian Continental Assembly at Budapest FIDE Congress

Address by Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Sultan Bin Shakhbout Al Nahyan, President, Asian Chess Federation, Continental Assembly, 19 Sept. 2024, Budapest, Hungary

Dear Esteemed Members of the Asian Chess Federation,

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to this year’s Continental Assembly. Our shared dedication and passion for the game of chess have brought us here today, united under one mission – to promote and advance chess across Asia. Your unwavering support and active participation in our initiatives have been key to the growth of chess in this diverse and dynamic region.

We stand at a pivotal moment where our collective efforts are yielding incredible results. From fostering young talent to hosting internationally recognized tournaments, the progress we have made together is undeniable. It is your hard work and commitment that drive us forward, and for that, I offer my deepest gratitude.

As the Asian Chess Federation is well-known for its initiatives, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all of us to be pioneers in electronic chess. Both the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Committee of Asia are increasingly integrating esports into their events, and chess, being recognized as an esport, has a unique opportunity to shine in this space.

In light of this, I am pleased to announce that we are adopting what we will call the ‘eChess Initiative.’ This will position us at the forefront of the electronic chess movement, ensuring that Asia leads the way in innovation and progress within the world of chess.

I look forward to our discussions today, confident that they will lead to further development and success for chess in Asia. Let us continue this journey, striving for excellence and inspiring future generations to embrace the rich strategic beauty of chess.

Thank you for your presence, and I wish us all a productive and meaningful assembly.

Pakistan Chess On The Move

Pakistan is the 5th largest and youngest country on the planet with 100 million plus youth. However, Pakistani chess has struggled in the past, with no Grandmaster and our only IM title dating back 37 years. This is changing!

In the last two years, we have initiated significant change:
- Award: Pakistan won the Asian Chess Federation Excellence Award in Abu Dhabi March 2023.
- Most active sports federation in Pakistan among 42 National Sports Federations (NFs)
- International Participation: Represented in 20 international championships and tournaments, primarily for youth participation, compared to the previous 1-2 in two years. This is up 10 fold!
- Domestic Growth: Over 450 over-the-board tournaments organized in this period.
- FIDE ID issuance is all-time high, and the highest number of youth is joining chess activities from all over the country.
- Chess in Education: Launched the world’s largest Chess in Education program, inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, in the presence of FIDE and ACF Presidents and their delegations and in cooperation with FIDE EDU.

$25,000 Prize in Asian Amateur Chess Championship in Al Ain, UAE

The Al Ain Chess Club and Mind Games, on behalf of the Asian Chess Federation (ACF), FIDE and UAE Chess Federation, has the honor to invite all Asian National Chess
Federations to participate in the 2024 Asian Amateur Chess Championships, which will be held from 14th (arrival) to 23rd (departure) December 2024 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

The Asian Amateur Championships 2024 is open to all Asian amateur players, registered by their federation, who should not have a FIDE rating above 2000 at the start of the tournament. Download Asian Amateur 2024 Invitation and Regulations

A total of US $ 25,000 in cash prizes shall be at stake as follows:

Players should not have a FIDE title higher than FIDE Master (i.e., WIM, WGM, IM and GM). All participants must have a FIDE ID to participate in this tournament. The deadline for registration is 14th Nov 2024.

The playing venue shall be at the official Hotel Danat Al Ain Resort.

The tournament shall be conducted as a Swiss System competition of 9 rounds and will be played according to FIDE regulations. Each player will have 90 minutes with the addition of 30 seconds per move starting from the first move.

Schedule is:

Direct titles shall be awarded for Standard Chess in accordance with FIDE handbook https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/B01DirectTitles2024. The Gold Medallist Under 2000 shall be awarded the CM/WCM title.

The winner from each Continental Amateur Championship rating section is qualified with personal rights (as long as they don’t reach or exceed 2300 rating by the registration deadline) to the 2025 World Amateur and their places cannot be substituted.

Carzano Wins Rapid Chess Meet in Iligan City, Philippines

Johnny Wellem Carzano won the 2024 Iligan City Diyandi Festival Rapid Chess Tournament held 14 September 2024 at the Robinson’s Mall in Iligan City, Philippines.
Carzano pocketed the P15,000 champion’s prize plus trophy after scoring 7.5 points in the rapid tournament organized by the Metro Iligan Chess Club.

Carzano, the pride of Misamis Occidental, comes at the heels of winning the National Chess Federation of the Philippines FIDE rated Standard Tournament held last September 8 at the Philippine Academy Chess For Excellence in Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City.

Jose Bryan, Jones Maghuyop and FIDE Master Victor Bruce Lluch occupied the second to fourth spots with 7.0 points each while Rodney Opada placed fifth with 6.5 points.
Geronimo Romarate, Cosain Magarang, Abdul Halil Abdullah, Jaybee Velez, Abdul Hafids Sarangani, Jezreel Lopez, Romeo Madrid, Jonard Labadan, Johnnel Balquin, Randolph Christopher Dalauta and Mardonio Fuentes wound up sixth and 16th with identical 6.0 points.

In the Blitz division last Sunday, Dalauta reigned supreme after registering the highest output of 7.5 points. Magarang and Carzano settled for second and third with 7.0 points, while Balquin, Romarate and Julius Ablin occupied the fourth to sixth spots with 6.5 points each.-Marlon Bernardino-

Final Standings:
7.5 points—Johnny Wellem Carzano
7.0 points—Jose Bryan, Jones Maghuyop, FM Victor Bruce Lluch
6.5 points—Rodney Opada
6.0 points—Geronimo Romarate, Cosain Magarang, Abdul Halil Abdullah, Jaybee Velez, Abdul Hafids Sarangani, Jezreel Lopez, Romeo Madrid, Jonard Labadan, Johnnel Balquin, Randolph Christopher Dalauta, Mardonio Fuentes

P1 Million Award for Philippines’ Newest Grandmaster Daniel Quizon

The Philippines has a new chess grandmaster after 13 years! Daniel Quizon clinched the coveted GM title at 20 years old after beating grandmaster Igor Efimov of Monaco and breaching the 2500-rating plateau during the fourth round of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary on 14 September 2024.

The chess prodigy, who hails from Cavite, became the country’s 17th grandmaster with his feat. The Philippines last earned a GM in the sport in 2011 with Oliver Barbosa and Richard Bitoon. In 2017, Janelle Mae Frayna became the country’s first and only woman grandmaster.

Quizon will receive P1 million from Dasmarinas Mayor Jenny Barzaga through the initiative of the late Dasmarinas Congressman Pidi Barzaga.

Quizon managed to thrive as an elite player in various chess tournaments at a young age.

In August 2018, he earned the International Master (IM) title after emerging victorious at the Eastern Asian Juniors Open Championships in Gangneung, South Korea with 7.5 points from nine rounds. The following year, he qualified for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, where he fell short of claiming a spot on the podium.

Quizon was recognized by the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association as the MILO Junior Male Athlete of the Year in 2019 alongside award-winning tennis player Alex Eala.

The chess prodigy qualified for the Chess World Cup in 2021. He ended his campaign in the first round after losing to Russian-Canadian GM Evgeny Bareev.

Driven by his dream to clinch the grandmaster title, Quizon made it a point to hone his skills and complete the three required GM norms—a high-level of performance in chess tournaments.

Quizon secured Grandmaster norms by winning gold in the Eastern Asia Juniors Chess Championship on December 2023 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. He then won first place in the Hanoi GM tournament, March 2024 in Vietnam. Then he earned his final norm by sharing first place in the strong Abu Dhabi Masters in August 2024 in the United Arab Emirates.

Visit Daniel Quizon becomes Philippines’ 17th chess grandmaster at 20 • PhilSTAR Life