FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 20 Apr 2025
Bangkok, Thailand – FIDE Master Christian Gian Carlo Arca split the point with countryman International Master Paulo Bersamina in 41 moves of the King's Indian Defense, creating a six-way tie for fifth place after the seventh round of the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club Open 2025 on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 16-year-old bet from Panabo City, Davao del Norte, Arca, has accumulated 5.5 points, the same score as Grandmaster Surya Shekhar Ganguly of India, Bersamina, International Master James Morris of Australia, International Master Michael Concio Jr., and Arsens Batashevs of Latvia.
The draw brings Arca closer to achieving his third and final International Master (IM) norm.
He earned his first IM norm at the 18th IGB Dato Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championships 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
His second IM norm was secured after winning the Quang Ninh GM2 chess tournament in Ha Long City, Vietnam, on May 19, 2024.
"I am very happy to potentially get my third and final norm in this tournament (22nd Bangkok Chess Club Open 2025)," said Arca.
"With two rounds to go, I will need one draw to get my third and final IM norm. If I am lucky enough to win my two remaining games, a Grandmaster (GM) norm is also possible," he added.
To become an IM, a player must achieve three norms over at least 27 games and have a FIDE rating of 2400 or higher. The Elo rating system measures the skill level of players in games.
In other results, Ganguly was defeated by Grandmaster Evgeny Romanov of North Macedonia in 38 moves of the French Defense. Romanov grabbed the solo lead with 6.5 points after seven rounds.
Morris bested Tony Zheng of Australia in 38 moves of the King's Indian Attack, Concio crushed Haoxuan Zhang of China in 64 moves of the London System Opening, and Batashevs toppled International Master Azarya Jodi Setyaki of Indonesia in 24 moves of the Centre Game.
Grandmaster Stephen Gordon of England beat Grandmaster Nigel Short of England in 53 moves of the Sicilian Defense to score 6.0 points and climb into a tie for second to fourth place along with Grandmaster Babu M. R. Lalith of India and FIDE Master Ern Jie Anderson Ang of Malaysia.
Lalith defeated Grandmaster Jozsef Horvath of Hungary in 32 moves of the Torre Attack Opening, while Ang subdued International Master Arif Abdul Hafiz of Indonesia in 35 moves of the King's Indian Defense.
Meanwhile, John Paul De Guzman defeated overnight solo leader Tran Nguyen Dang Khoa of Vietnam to seize the solo lead with 6.5 points after seven rounds in the Challenger section. -Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Sampson Lewkowicz: Boxing’s Picasso
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Wed, 03 Jun 2026BARRY HEARN OBE TO FUND 10 BRAND NEW APPRENTICESHIP ROLES THANKS TO MATCHROOM CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AND COACH CORE
Wed, 03 Jun 2026Olongapo to host National Age Group Chess Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 03 Jun 2026JOSEPH "JOJO" DIAZ EAGER TO REVIVE CAREER AHEAD OF JUNE 19 SHOWDOWN WITH "H2O" SYLVE
Wed, 03 Jun 2026Charly Suarez is my idol - Jhon Lowie Lastimosa
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 03 Jun 2026Josh “The Hammer” Popper: From Holy Spirit to a Heavyweight Headline at the Tropicana
Wed, 03 Jun 2026600 athletes expected in 11th Asia-Oceania Sambo tourney
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 03 Jun 2026Dagestan rivalry set to ignite Moscow: Khalidov and Yallyev clash on stacked IBA PRO 19 card
Wed, 03 Jun 2026Deep Waters rules inaugural WR Bughouse Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 02 Jun 2026HE TURKI ALALSHIKH: 'AJ vs PRENGA IN JEDDAH REINFORCES SAUDI ARABIA'S POSITION AS DESTINATION FOR WORLD'S LEADING EVENTS'
Tue, 02 Jun 2026ANTHONY JOSHUA VS KRISTIAN PRENGA TO TAKE PLACE IN JEDDAH ON JULY 25 – LIVE ON DAZN – AS HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF IN LONDON
Tue, 02 Jun 2026Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Gets a kick out of British sports fans
Tue, 02 Jun 2026GUSTAVO TRUJILLO CONTINUES HEAVYWEIGHT ASCENT WITH DEVASTATING FIRST-ROUND TKO
Mon, 01 Jun 2026Boxing Insider Promotions Brings Regional Card to Tropicana Atlantic City on Saturday, June 13
Mon, 01 Jun 2026Chess, in whatever form, is a great equalizer
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 01 Jun 2026