Arca earns first IM norm
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 04 Sep 2023
MANILA---FIDE Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca scored an impressive victory against Malaysian Candidate Master Jun Ying Tan to earn his first International Master norm in the tough nine rounds 18th IGB Dato' Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championship 2023 in Cititel Midvalley, Midvalley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia held August 28 to September 3.
The Dasmariñas City-based woodpusher played the black pieces his final match to earn a score of 6.0 for a seventeen-way tie in eleventh place after the week-long international tournament backed by the Malaysian Chess Federation.
The Grade 9 student of Dasmariñas Integrated High School capped his performance with four wins, four draws and one loss in the tournament that was also part of the Malaysian Chess Festival.
“Sobrang saya ni Christian claiming his first IM norm dito sa 18th IGB Dato' Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championship 2023 tournament, he need two IM norm para ma complete ang kanyang IM title in this sport kaya until now sobrang motivated ang bata,” Christians’ father Arman told sportswriter Marlon Bernardino.
Arca, one of the top players of the star-studded Dasmariñas Chess Academy of Cong. Pidi Barzaga, Mayor Jenny Austria-Barzaga and National Coach Fide Master Roel Abelgas gained a +154.8 Elo Points of FIDE Standard Rating to be added to his present FIDE Standard Elo rating of 2192 as of September 1, 2023. For now, Arca's virtual FIDE Standard Rating is already 2346 and need to earn two IM norms to complete his IM title status.
Arca scored his other victories over Kay Yan Eden Pang of Singapore (Round 1, Elo rating of 1366), IM Ameya Audi of India (Round 3, Elo rating of 2403) and IM Gilbert Elroy Tarigan of Indonesia (Round 6, Elo rating of 2370).
He drew with FM Aditya Bagus Arfan of Indonesia (Round 2, Elo rating of 2410), CM Kamotra Soham of India (Round 3, Elo rating of 2381), IM Xiangyi Liu of Singapore (Round 5, Elo rating of 2374) and CM Khuong Duy Dau of Vietnam (Round 8, Elo rating of 2292).
In round seven, Arca found his only defeat in the tourney against Indian GM Deepan Chakkravarthy J. , who has an ELO of 2446.
"Masaya po ako nakuha ko ang 1st IM norm saka nag gain ng Elo 154.8 points," Christian told sportswriter Marlon Bernardino.
The 14-year-old chess wizard, who started playing the sport at the age of nine, also won a bronze medal award after finishing in a tie for first place in the blitz competition last September 3.
IM Siddharth Jagadeesh of Singapore took the gold while GM Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam got the silver.
The triumvirate tallied 7.0 points each.
Arca won against compatriots FM Nelson Villanueva in the fourth round, IM Daniel Quizon in the seventh round and WGM Janelle Mae Frayna in the eight and final round.
Arca sees action in his third international outing this year as he tries to be the first Filipino to win the Open Under 18 category of the tough and prestigious World Youth Chess Championship to be held on November 12 to 25 in Montesilvano, Italy.
Arca whose stint is supported by NCFP chairman/president Cong. Prospero "Butch" Arreza Pichay Jr. is also set to compete in the Grandmaster Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. FIDE Rapid Rated Open Chess Tournament on September 30 at the second floor Open Kitchen Foodhall, Rockwell Business Center, Sheridan Street, Mandaluyong City.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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