14-year-old Fide Master Christian Arca Bags the IM Rony and Mam Elvira Invitational Rapid Chess Championship
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 18 Feb 2024
Final Standings: (Single Round Robin format, time control of eight minutes plus three seconds increment, 14 players field)
11.5 points---FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca
10 points---IM Angelo Young
9 points---IM Chito Garma, IM Ricardo de Guzman
8.5 points---IM Barlo Nadera
7.5 points---NM Oscar Joseph Cantela
7 points---FM Adrian Ros Pacis
5.5 points---NM Edmundo Gatus, CM Genghis Imperial
5 points---FM Carlos Edgardo Garma, NM Romeo Alcodia
4 points---NM Carlo Lorena
2.5 points---NM Homer Cunanan
2 points---Agripino Camposano
Dasmariñas City, Cavite---Rising chess sensation and FIDE Master (FM) Christian Gian Carlo Tade -Arca dominated the IM Rony and Mam Elvira Invitational Rapid Chess Championship held at the Metro Gate Club House, Metro Gate Subdivision in Dasmariñas City, Cavite on Saturday, February 17, 2024.
Christian won the competition, achieving a score of 11.5 out of 13 Rounds on account of 11 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, and took home the grand prize of Php 10,000 and a medal.
Christian's path to victory saw him outmaneuver a formidable lineup of opponents. He defeated NM Oscar Joseph Cantela in round 1, IM Chito Garma in round 2, IM Angelo Young in round 4 , NM Carlo Lorena in round 5, NM Edmundo Gatus in round 6, FM Carlos Edgardo Garma in round 7, NM Homer Cunanan in round 8, IM Barlo Nadera in round 9, NM Romeo Alcodia in round 10, CM Genghis Imperial in round 12 and Agripino Camposano in round 13.
He drew with 1981 Dhaka, Bangladesh Asian Junior Champion IM Ricardo de Guzman in round 3. His only loss inflicted by FM Adrian Ros Pacis in round 11.
For winning the tournament, the 14-year-old student of Dasmariñas Integrated High School got a chance to play 2-time Olympian IM Petronio "Rony" Roca in a challenge match-ups. Playing black, Christian edged Rony and got added prizes of Php 5,000 courtesy of Rocafé Coffee Bar, Royal Maharaja Lady Eagles Club, Mapagmahal Region NCR 98, PER Solutions Engineering Services & Consultancy and C-Style Prints.
“Masayang-masaya po ako sa pagkapanalo ko dahil halos lahat ng nangungunang manlalaro sa Metro Manila at mga kalapit na probinsya ay naimbitahang sumali rito,” Christian said in an interview on Sunday.
"Sa pagkapanalo ko po ay malaking boost po ito ng kumpiyansa ko at mas lalo kung pagbubutihin sa mga susunod na chess tournament na lalahukan ko po," added Christian.
"Thanks to all who supported my son in his chess journey. Thanks also to the organizers of this event," said proud father Police Captain Arman Arca.
"The achievement of Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca heralds a promising future for chess in the Philippines, inspiring a new generation of players to strive for excellence in this mental sport," said Fide National Arbiter Mark John "Biyaherong Arbiter" Centillo.
Christian is among the top players of the star-studded Dasmariñas Chess Academy of Rep. "Elpidio" Pidi Barzaga Jr., Mayor Jenny Austria-Barzaga and national coach FIDE Master Roel Abelgas.
IM Young came in second place with 10 points, losing only to the champion, IM Garma and IM Guzman, both scored 9 points, securing the third and fourth position.
IM Barlo Nadera clinched the fifth position with 8.5 points, followed by 16-year-old NM Oscar Joseph Cantela in sixth position with 7.5 points.
FM Pacis, NM Gatus, CM Imperial, FM Garma, NM Alcodia, NM Lorena, NM Cunanan and Camposano rounded out the top fourteen (14).
Meantime, Noel Jay "Super B" Estacio defeated Rodel Jose Juadinez Jr. in the play off to win the side event.
Tournament director was NM Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. assisted by Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. IIEE National Past President Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez and FIDE Arbiter Byron Gabrentina Villar.
Meanwhile, Christian is setting his sights on becoming the country's next International Master. Christian is scheduled to compete in the 21st Bangkok Chess Club Open scheduled at the Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa in Phetchaburi, Thailand from April 13 to 21, 2024.
His current Elo rating points are 2283 (standard), 2246 (rapid), and 2274 (blitz).
He bagged his first IM norm during the 18th IGB Dato' Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championship held at the Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last September.
It shall be recalled that Christian scored 8.5 points in nine rounds to rule the side event (blitz competition) of the prestigious age-group chess tournament in the world dubbed as FIDE World Youth Chess Championship held at the Pala Dean Martin Centro Congressi in Montesilvano, Italy last November.
Christian also won the gold medal in the blitz competition of the Eastern Asia Juniors and Girls Chess Championship 2023 at the Sabah Oriental Hotel in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia last December.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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