PALAYAN CITY – Finishing with two losses and two draws in 20 boards he simultaneously fought in recent exhibition matches here, Grandmaster Daniel Quizon lauded Nueva Ecija chess players as “strong and intelligent.”
“Maaaring isa sa mga susunod na grandmaster ay magsimula sa Nueva Ecija,” Quizon said.
The 20-year-old Quizon, along with International Master Roderick Nava, was guest during the 1st Palayan Rapid Chess Tournament organized by game enthusiast Celso Cajucom and sponsored by Mayor Vianne Cuevas of this city.
Nava also played 21 boards simultaneously.
Quizon advised participants, some of whom came all the way from Metro Manila and La Union, to continue honing their craft.
To be good player, he said, one should play 20 to 30 times a day whether physically or digitally.
“Kailangan din pong iwasan ang bisyo tulad ng alak at sigarilyo,” Nava advised the players.
The winners for the Open division were Jerry Areque, 1st place; LJ Laking, 2nd; Precious Ferrer, 3rd; Johnny Guerrero, 4th; Leonardo Navarro, 5th; and Stephen Manzanero, 6th.
Winning the Kiddies division were: Dantrel Nava-Ramos, champion; followed by, in order of placements, Katriel Zaira Guerrero, Ralp Oliver Duran, Luigy Jirelle Manahan, Gomery Lauro, and Aetan Mamaed.