THE Philippines’ Christian Gian Karlo Arca claimed a bronze medal in the Open rapid section of the Eastern Asia Juniors and Girls Chess Championships in Karawaci-Tangerang, Indonesia Thursday night.
The 15-year-old FIDE Master from Panabo, Davao del Norte pulled the rug from under International Master Prin Laohawirapap of Thailand in the ninth and final round and to claim the bronze.
Arca, a ninth-grader from Dasmarinas Integrated High School, and Paohawirapap actually wound up tied for third with seven points, but the former took third place due to the winner-over-the-other rule.
FM Dinh Nho Kiet of Vietnam pocketed the gold after he bested FM Satria Duta Cahaya of host Indonesia via tiebreak after the two finished with 7.5 points each.
Cahaya settled for the silver.
John Jerish Velarde also of the Philippines finished tied for ninth to 14th spot with 5.5 points.
In the girls’ rapid category, Mhage Sebastian finished fourth to seventh with six points, or just a full point behind eventual winner Shafira Devi Herfesa of Indonesia, who outpointed countrywomen WIM Laysa Latifah and WFM Samantha Edithso via tiebreaker after the three wound up with seven points apiece.
Arca and the rest of the team, which is headed by National Chess Federation of the Philippines chief executive officer GM Jayson Gonzales, are expected to plunge back into action in the standard event that started on Friday.