Filipino chess player Daniel Maravilla Quizon, 20, has been hailed as the country’s 17th Grandmaster after defeating Igor Efimov of Monaco at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary.

Quizon, from Dasmariñas, Cavite, achieved a 2500 Elo Rating after beating the experienced Grandmaster Efimov on September 15.

This milestone marks the first Grandmaster title for a Filipino player in 13 years, making Quizon the latest addition to the country’s elite group of chess players.

The achievement is a crucial boost to the country’s chess scene, and Quizon’s success is expected to inspire a new generation of Filipino chess enthusiasts.

The 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad, which runs from September 1 to 16, brings together top chess players from around the world to compete in a series of matches.

Quizon’s victory is a proof to his hard work and dedication to the sport, and he is set to become a role model for young Filipino chess players.

Starting with Joel Torre as Asia’s first grandmaster, the Philippines has a rich tradition of producing top-notch chess players, and Quizon’s achievement is a welcome addition to the country’s chess legacy.