MANILA – Filipino FIDE Master (FM) Christian Gian Karlo Arca secured a victory at the Quang Ninh GM2 tournament in Ha Long Ward, Ha Long City, Vietnam, on Sunday, clinching his second International Master (IM) norm.

In the final round, the 15-year-old from Dasmariñas City, Cavite, faced Vietnamese Candidate Master (CM) Dau Khuong Duy. Playing the black pieces, Arca settled for a draw after 67 moves in the Caro Kann Defense, advance variation. This result ensured Arca’s top spot in the round-robin tournament with 6.0 points, composed of three wins and six draws.

Arca’s impressive performance included draws against Vietnamese Grandmaster (GM) Nguyen Anh Dung (Round 1), Filipino IM Michael Concio Jr. (Round 4), Singaporean IM Liu Xiangyi (Round 6), Filipino GM John Paul Gomez (Round 7), and Vietnamese CM Dinh Nho Kiet (Round 8). He claimed victories over Chinese IM Yiping Lou (Round 2), Indonesian IM Azarya Jodi Setyaki (Round 3), and the tournament’s top seed, Vietnamese GM Tran Tuan Minh (Round 5).

Kiet finished second with 5.5 points, Concio and Dung with 5.0 points each, Gomez and Liu with 4.5 points each, Lou and Duy with 4.0 points each, Minh with 3.5 points, and Jodi with 3.0 points.

Arca, a Grade 9 student at Dasmariñas Integrated High School, gained 62.8 ELO points, which will be added to his current rating of 2265 as of May 1.

“I dedicate this victory to my countrymen, especially to the late Cavite 4th District Congressman Elpidio ‘Pidi’ Barzaga Jr. It’s an honor to represent our country,” Arca said. He achieved his first IM norm during the 18th IGB Dato’ Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championships in 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

To achieve the IM title, a player must obtain three norms over 27 or more games and a FIDE rating of 2400 or higher.

National coach FM Roel Abelgas, who supervises training at the Dasmariñas Chess Academy, stated, “Christian is very happy to get his second IM norm. He needs one more norm to complete his IM title, so he’s motivated.”

Originally from Panabo City in Davao del Norte, Arca is set to compete next at the Hanoi GM Closed Tournament (May 21 to 26) and the 8th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship (July 12 to 21) in Penang, Malaysia.

(el Amigo/MNM)