Woman Grandmaster and International Master Daniel Quizon topped their respective divisions to lead the Southeast Asian Games blitz chess qualifiers held at the separate venues Tuesday night.
Frayna showed why she’s the country’s top lady woodpusher as she ran away with the title by scoring 77 points, 15.5 points ahead of second placer Woman FIDE Master Cherry Ann Mejia with 61.5 points.
Woman International Master Bernadette Galas edged WFM Shania Mae Mendoza via tiebreak after the two ended up with identical 56 points to claim the third and last slot to the final phase of the SEAG selection process set the whole of August.
Quizon, 15, was equally impressive as he led almost throughout the 100-game men’s qualifier by garnering 56.5 points on 45 wins, 23 draws and 24 defeats.
Quizon’s triumph underscored his emergence as the new toast of Philippine chess after he also topped the blitz section of the Asian Juniors early this month.
The rapid SEAG qualifier, meanwhile, unfurls Thursday with GMs Joey Antonio, John Paul Gomez and Darwin Laylo, IM’s Ricky de Guzman, John Marvin Miciano and Angelo Young and FIDE Master David Elorta among the men’s participants and Frayna, Mendoza, WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, WIM Catherino Secopito, Galas and Mejia among the women’s entries.
Games will be held at the PACE venue in North Avenue, Quezon City using a quadruple-round robin format. (KRISTEL SATUMBAGA)
