Arca eyes third IM norm in Penang chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 12 Jul 2024
Manila--- Coming off a successful campaign in the Eastern Asia Juniors and Girls Chess Championships 2024-Rapid last week in Indonesia, FIDE Master (FM) Christian Gian Karlo Arca will continue his quest for an International Master (IM) norm in the 8th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championships in Penang, Malaysia.
Arca, together with FIDE Master Ivan Travis Cu, National Master Oscar Joseph Cantela and National Master Franklin Loyd Andes, left the country on Thursday for the July 13-21 tournament at the CitiTel Hotel in George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
Arca, Cu, Cantela and Andes will be playing in the Under 18 Open division.
"I hope to do well in this event (Penang, Malaysia) and gain some Elo rating points," the Dasmariñas Chess Academy player said, who is fresh from a third place finish in the Open Rapid category of the Eastern Asia Juniors and Girls Chess Championships 2024 at the Gunadarma University in Karawaci-Tangerang, Indonesia last July 4.
Among those who are supporting his chess campaign here and abroad are Mayor Jenny Barzaga, Coun. Kiko Barzaga and national coach FIDE Master Roel Abelgas.
The 15-year-old Almaty, Kazakhstan Asian Youth Blitz Chess U16 champion is eyeing the third and last norm to claim the International Master title that he can achieve if he ends up reigning supreme in this FIDE tournament, organized by Penang Chess Association and Malaysian Chess Federation.
The governing international body for this event is the Asian Chess Federation (ACF) and World Chess Federation (FIDE).
If the Dasmariñas teenage sensation accomplishes the feat, he may automatically clinch the title that he had sought for so long—an International Master title—while gaining a Grandmaster norm in the process.
Other members of the PH age group chess team led by delegation head Mr. Ranell Magallanes were Danry Seth Romualdez (Under 10 Open) , Gaye Thalia Ventura (Under 10 Girls) , Noel Bernil Jr. (Under 12 Open), WNM Nika Juris Nicolas (Under 12 Girls), NM Jaymiel Piel (Under 14 Open), Ran Zeth Marco Magallanes (Under 14 Open) , Lila Alyssa Seriña (Under 14 Girls ), Ashzley Aya Nicole Paquinol (Under 14 Girls ), NM Keith Adriane Ilar (Under 16 Open), Davin Sean Romualdez (Under 16 Open), NM Tyrhone Tabernilla (Under 16 Open), WNM Bonjoure Fille Suyamin (Under 16 Girls) and WNM Samantha Babol Umayan (Under 18 Girls).
Meanwhile, PCA president See Swee Sie said PCA and MCF have a collective vision of providing more opportunities for the youth in Penang, Malaysia and all around the world, to promote and enhance the presence of chess in schools.
She also went on to thank donors, supporters and well-wishers who have played a key role in the success of materialising this plan into reality and inspiring the youth of today.
They are BWYS Group managing director Kang Beng Hai, Serena Tan of Penang Property Angel (PGPA), TT Vision Holdings Bhd chief executive officer and executive director Goon Koon Yin.
“Not to forget, I wish to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Penang government for regularly supporting our events, and a special mention to the Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP), for being the gear of chess development in the state,” See said.
In a related development, See said that Poh Yu Tian, a Penangite and the golden hope for the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma), will participate in the EAYCC this year to obtain his final IM Norm.
Penang has proven itself as an international chess tournament host, with its first Continental Tournament, the 5th Asian Cities Tournament in 1984, and the Penang Heritage International Chess Open running its 16th iteration, now as the Penang Chess Festival, in December 2024.-Marlon Bernardino-
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