MANILA, Philippines–Daniel Quizon took the solo lead after the second round of the 2021 Philippine National Chess Championships on Friday at Solea Hotel and Resort in Mactan, Cebu.
The 17-year-old Quizon, a veteran of the Southeast Asian Games and the World Cup, outlasted fellow International Master Joel Pimentel in 83 moves of a Grunfeld Defense, following up his victory over IM John Marvin Miciano in the opener Thursday.
He has two points so far in the 11-round event, which offers a spot to the national team for Hanoi Southeast Games and the 2023 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games along with top purse worth P80,000.
IMs Ricky de Guzman and Paulo Bersamina, meanwhile, settled for draws to slip to a share of second spot with 1.5 points apiece.
Quizon faced GM Darwin Laylo, one of his coaches, in the third round of six-day tournament backed by PSC chair Butch Ramirez, NCFP president Butch Pichay, POC president Bambol Tolentino, Chess Movement, Inc. chair Dr. Ariel Potot, PCSO general manager Royina Gaerma and Atty Roel Canobas.