Bacojo, Arca joint 5th in World Blitz in Montesilvano, Italy
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 18 Nov 2023
Final Standings: (Nine Round Swiss System, Blitz event, 185 participants)
9 points---GM Bayarsaikhan Gundavaa (Mongolia)
7.5 points---FM Erdenepurev Boldoo (Mongolia), FM Eldiar Orozbaev (Kyrgyzstan), FM Aleksandr Domalchuk-Jonasson (Iceland)
7.0 points---FM Mark Jay Bacojo (Philippines), Oleksandr Vasynda (Ukraine), IM Davit Zarkua (Georgia), FM Filip Magold (Romania), GM Ognjen Cvitan (Croatia), FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca (Philippines)
Montesilvano, Italy-- FIDE Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca of the Philippines subdued Dumanuly Sultanbeibarys of Kazakhstan in the ninth and final round to join countrymen FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo at the top of the standings in the just ended Blitz Rated tournament, a side event in the FIDE World Youth Chess Championship 2023 here at the Pala Dean Martin centro congressi in Montesilvano, Italy on Thursday.
Bacojo yielded to eventual champion Grandmaster Bayarsaikhan Gundavaa of Mongolia. Gundavaa turned back Bacojo to seal the crown with a perfect 9.0 points.
Bacojo and Arca ended up tied at 5th to 10th places along with Oleksandr Vasnynda of Ukraine, IM Davit Zarkua of Georgia, FM Filip Magold of Norway and GM Ognjen Cvitan of Croatia.
Bacojo and Arca, landed at over-all 5th and 10th places in this FIDE rated blitz tournament which attracted 185 woodpushers.
Bacojo scored victories over WCM Vanya Briseyda Conde Mares of Mexico in the first round, Adizhan Yessengali of Kazakhstan in the second round, Carlos Francis Varela Velazquez of Mexico in the third round, Altan-Ulzi Enkhtuul of Mongolia in the sixth round, Arca in the seventh round and Davit Zarkua in the eight and penultimate round.
He drew with Amanmuhammet Hommadov of Turkmenistan in the fourth round and Lucas Jordao Goncalves of Portugal. His only loss was at the hands of Gundavaa in the fifth round.
The 17-year-old Bacojo, a Grade 12 student of Dasmariñas Integrated High School has a chance to win the title if he beats his final round opponent.
The 14-year-old Arca, on the other hand, a Grade 14 student of Dasmariñas Integrated High School defeated Malachi Naskov, countryman Anica Shey Dimatangihan, Gu Xianghan of China, FM Nikola Kamov, Adam Omarrson, Novosel Lovro.
Arca yielded to Khwaira Anas of Jordan (Round 3) and Bacojo (Round 7).
In the main tournament, as of presstime, Bacojo playing with IM Timothe Razafindratsima of France while Arca goes up against Miraziz Kuziev of Uzbekistan.
Other members of the PH age group team headed by AGM Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. (Delegation Head and Coach), WFM Shaina Mae Mendoza (Coach) and AFM Ederwin Estavillo (Coach) were NM Oscar Joseph Cantela, Charly Jhon Yamson, Mark Gabriel Usman, WNM Franchesca Largo, WNM Kaye Lalaine Regidor, WNM Bonjoure Fille Suyamin, Jirah Floravie Cutiyog, Anica Shey Dimatangihan and Maureiin Lepaopao.
The Filipinos' campaign in Montesilvano, Italy is backed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
It is also supported by Cavite Vice Governor Athena Bryana Delgado Tolentino, General Trias City, Cavite Mayor Luis "Jon Jon" Ferrer IV, Vice Mayor Jonas Glyn Porto Labuguen and OIC City Sports Jon Jon Comandante. -Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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