Coming off a successful campaign in the Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines Inc. Panabo chess tourney last October 1, Fide Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Panabo City, Davao del Norte will continue his quest for an International Master (IM) norm in the upcoming Asian Juniors and Girls Chess Championships to be held on Oct. 12 to 19 at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay City.
The 15 years old Arca, a Grade 10 student of Panabo City National High School won the gold medal in the Open Blitz, a side event of the FIDE World Youth Chess Championships held in Montesilvano, Italy from Nov. 12 to 24, 2023.
“I will work even harder to get the International Master title. I will not waste the support given by my family and my sponsors who trust in my ability,” said Arca, playing under the guidance of School Principal Manuel Esperanza and Coach AGM Ramil Langamon.
To get an IM title, a player must achieve three required title norms over 27 or more games and a FIDE rating of 2400 or more.
Arca who totes a Standard FIDE rating of 2199 already has two norms.
He acquired his first IM norm during the 18th IGB Dato’ Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championships, a nine-round tournament held at the Midvalley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from Aug. 26 to Sept. 3, 2023.
He obtained his second IM norm after winning the Quang Ninh Grandmaster Tournament last May 14-19, 2024 in Vietnam.
Governor Athena Tolentino of Cavite, first Vice President of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino of Tagaytay City who is also President of the Philippine Olympic Committee and National Chess Federation of the Philippines Chairman/President Prospero Pichay Jr. are expected to lead the opening ceremony on Saturday at 10 am.
Also competing are Phil Martin Casiguran, Andrew James Toledo, Andrei Ainsley Dolorosa, Davin Sean and Danry Seth Romualdez, Zeyus Kyle Del Mundo, and Marius Constante.
The defending champion is Grandmaster Aleksei Grebnev of Russia.
In the distaff side, Jemaicah Yap Mendoza, Apple Rubin and Arleah Cassandra Sapuan will carry the Philippine Flag.
