Philippines Olympiad team aims for Top 20

BUDAPEST, Hungary – The Philippines aims for a Top 20 finish or better in the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad that will be unveiled tonight at the sprawling BOK Sports Hall in this Hungarian capital known for its long, cherished tradition in the sport.

Daniel Quizon, in his first ever Olympiad, will get a chance to prove his worth early as he plays the top board in the first two rounds, in lieu of Grandmaster Julio Catalino Sadorra, who will only fly in Friday due to previous commitments.

At board one, the 20-year-old International Master from Dasmariñas gets an opportunity to flaunt his talent and earn rating points to claim the GM title. He has zoomed to 2490, 10 points away from breaching the 2500 rating plateau and clinching his dream GM title.

“Pangarap ko po talaga mag GM,” said Quizon, who arrived here yesterday along with the rest of the Philippine team backed by the Philippine Sports Commission through chairman Richard Bachmann and commissioner Ed Hayco, and the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

IM Paulo Bersamina will man the second board while GM John Paul Gomez and IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia the third and fourth boards, respectively.

Woman GM Janelle Mae Frayna, for her part, will spearhead the women’s team that is also composed of WIMs Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Bernadette Galas, and Woman FIDE Masters Shanie Mae Mendoza and Ruelle Canino.