Daniel Quizon embarks on a quest to finally claim his dream Grandmaster title as he spearheads the Philippine team in the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad unfolding Wednesday up to Sept. 22 in Budapest, Hungary.
The 20-year-old International Master could claim the GM title outright in the Hungarian capital as he is just 10 rating points away from breaching the 2500-mark after a strong performance in the Abu Dhabi event a month ago.
Quizon will leave the country today along with teammates GM John Paul Gomez, IMs Jem Garcia and Paolo Bersmina, coach GM Eugene Torre and head of delegation Atty. Roel Canobas.
Also flying to Budapest are women’s team mainstays WGM Janelle Mae Frayna, Bernadette Galas, Ruelle Canino and Shania Mae Mendoza and women’s coach GM Jayson Gonzales.
Jan Jodilyn Fronda is dealing with visa issue but the team is optimistic she can make it in time for the opening game.
Men’s top board player GM Inno Sadorra, for his part, will leave the United States Wednesday and will arrive in Budapest the next day.
He would miss the first two rounds but should play on the third.
In Sadorra’s absence, Quizon, who will reportedly be assigned Board Two, might just man the top board on the former’s behalf.
