Quizon keeps title bid alive in Abu Dhabi chess tourney

MANILA – Filipino International Master (IM) Daniel Quizon defeated Grandmaster (GM) Klementy Sychev of FIDE in the seventh round to boost his title campaign in the premier Master's division of the 30th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival in the United Arab Emirates Thursday night.

The 20-year-old Quizon prevailed after 41 moves of a Ruy Lopez to regain his place in the Top 10 alongside 15 others with five points.

GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov of Uzbekistan is on top of the standings with six points.

Quizon conquered Egyptian GM Bassem Amin, the No. 6 seed, in the fourth round last Monday, a day after beating Indian IM L Srihari.

Quizon, who was scheduled to meet GM Abdimalik Abdisalimov of Uzbekistan in the eighth round, has already earned 9.6 points to improve his rating to 2466.6 from 2457.

Quizon hopes to breach the 2500-rating required to become a GM in the World Chess Olympiad set Sept. 10 to 22 in Budapest, Hungary. (PNA)