Wunderkid Arca Earns 2nd International Master Norm In Vietnam Tourney; pockets chess title
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 20 May 2024
Final Standings:
6.0 points---FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca ( Philippines)
5.5 points---CM Dinh Nho Kiet (Vietnam)
5.0 points---IM Michael Concio Jr. (Philippines), GM Nguyen Anh Dung (Vietnam)
4.5 points---GM John Paul Gomez (Philippines), IM Liu Xiangyi (Singapore)
4.0 points---IM Lou Yiping (China), CM Dau Khuong Duy (Vietnam)
3.5 points---GM Tran Tuan Minh (Vietnam)
3.0 points---IM Setyaki Azarya Jodi (Indonesia)
Manila---FIDE Master (FM) Christian Gian Karlo Arca of the Philippines halved the point with Candidate Master (CM) Dau Khuong Duy of Vietnam in the last round to earn his second International Master norm in the Quang Ninh GM2 chess tournament in Ha Long Ward, Ha Long City, Vietnam on Sunday.
Arca, playing black, drew with Dau after 67 moves of Caro kann defense, advance variation.
The 15-year-old woodpusher from Dasmariñas City, Cavite finished the round robin tournament with 6.0 points on three wins and six draws en route the coveted chess title, organized by Viet Nam Chess Federation.
Arca’s other draws were against Grandmaster (GM) Nguyen Anh Dung of Vietnam (Round 1), International Master (IM) Michael Concio Jr. of the Philippines (Round 4), International Master (IM) Liu Xiangyi of Singapore (Round 6), Grandmaster (GM) John Paul Gomez of the Philippines (Round 7) and Candidate Master (CM) Dinh Nho Kiet of Vietnam (Round 8).
He beat International Master (IM) Yiping Lou of China (Round 2), International Master (IM) Azarya Jodi Setyaki of Indonesia (Round 3) and top seed Grandmaster (GM) Tran Tuan Minh of Vietnam (Round 5).
The Grade 9 student from Dasmariñas Integrated High School has gained 62.8 ELO points from the Vietnam event, to be added to his rating of 2265 as of May 1, 2024.
Christian is among the top players of the star-studded Dasmariñas Chess Academy of Mayor Jenny Austria-Barzaga and national coach FIDE Master Roel Abelgas.
“Christian was very happy to get his second IM norm in the tournament. He needs one more norm to complete his IM title, so he’s really motivated,” said Abelgas.
“Again I would like to dedicate my victory to my countrymen especially to the late Cong. Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr. It’s an honor to represent our country,” said Arca who also got his first IM norm during the 18th IGB Dato' Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championships held on Aug. 28 to Sept. 3, 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
To become an IM, a player must get the three norms over 27 or more games and a FIDE rating of 2400 or more. ELO is a rating system to measure the skill level of players in games.
Meanwhile, Christian, who hails from Panabo City is scheduled to compete in the Hanoi GM closed tournament on May 21-26 in Hanoi, Vietnam.
He will also join the 8th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship on July 12-21, 2024 in Penang, Malaysia.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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