MANILA---Filipino Fide Master (FM) Christian Gian Karlo Arca pocketed the top honors in the 21st ASEAN+Age-Group Chess Championships 2023 - Open Under 18 Rapid individual category held at the Eastern Asia Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday.
The Dasmariñas City, Cavite Arca collected 6.5 points on sixth wins and a draw in seven outings.
The 14-year-old Arca scored victories over Ye Htut Zaw of Myanmar in the first round, Lvheng Chen of China in the second round, Nayaka Budhidharma of Indonesia in the third round, Fide Master FM Nguyen Quoc Hy of Vietnam in the fifth round, Vo Pham Thien Phuc of Vietnam in the sixth round and Pham Cong Minh of Vietnam in the seventh and final round.
He drew with compatriot Mark Jay Bacojo in the fourth round.
Bacojo, on the other hand, placed second overall with 5.0 points while FM Nguyen wound up third with 4.5 points.
Arca teaming up Bacojo also won silver in the Standard Team Competition.
“I am very happy with my victory because almost all of the top players in Asean countries as well as those from Russia, China, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, joined the tournament," said Arca, whose stint here is being supported by Rep. Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga, Mayor Jenny Barzaga, Coach Fide Master Roel Abelgas, Mam Melinda Calumaya of Dasmariñas Integrated High School, the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and the Philippine Sports Commission.
"I would like to thank Rep. Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga, Mayor Jenny Barzaga, Coach Fide Master Roel Abelgas, Mam Melinda Calumaya of Dasmariñas Integrated High School, the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and the Philippine Sports Commission for supporting my participation in the 21st ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand,” added Arca, a Grade 8 pupil of Dasmariñas Integrated High School.
The tournament was organized by the Thailand Chess Association, which had fielded local players and invited chess players from Brunei, China, FIDE (Russia), Indonesia, India, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Singapore and Vietnam.-Marlon Bernardino-
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