MANILA — Daniel Quizon, a 20-year-old chess prodigy from Cavite, has earned the prestigious title of Grandmaster (GM), becoming the 17th in the history of the Philippines.
Quizon achieved this remarkable feat by defeating Grandmaster Igor Efimov and surpassing the 2500-rating threshold during the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad held in Budapest, Hungary on September 15 (Philippine time).
This marks the first time since 2011 that a Filipino has been awarded the GM title, with the last honorees being Oliver Barbosa and Richard Bitoon. The only woman grandmaster from the Philippines, Janelle Mae Frayna, earned her title in 2017.
Quizon’s journey to the top began at a young age, participating in various chess tournaments. In 2018, he achieved the International Master (IM) title after winning the Eastern Asian Juniors Open Championships in South Korea. Although he missed a podium finish at the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, Quizon continued to impress, securing gold at the Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championships that same year.
Recognized for his talent, he was named the MILO Junior Male Athlete of the Year in 2019, alongside tennis star Alex Eala.
His path to GM status continued as he qualified for the Chess World Cup in 2021, facing tough competition.
Quizon earned his first GM norm in February 2023 at the AQ Prime ASEAN Chess Championship and his second in December of the same year at the Eastern Asia Juniors and Girls Chess Championship.
He secured his final GM norm in March 2024 at the Hanoi Grandmaster Chess Tournament, finally reaching his dream of becoming a grandmaster.
Quizon’s triumph is a testament to his dedication and passion for the sport, reviving the country’s grandmaster legacy.
Ed’s note: This rewritten article first appeared in the Philippine Star penned by Joey Villar, the designated pool writer for the country in the 45th Chess Olympiad.