FM Christian Gian Carlo Tade -Arca, 14, dominated the IM Rony and Mam Elvira Invitational Rapid Chess Championship held February 17, 2024 at the Metro Gate Club House, Metro Gate Subdivision in Dasmariñas City, Cavite, Philippines.
Gian Carlo Arca won the competition, achieving a score of 11.5 out of 13 Rounds on account of 11 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, and took home the grand prize of Php 10,000 and a medal.
FM Christian Gian Carlo Tade -Arca, second from left, shakes hands with 2-time Olympian IM Petronio “Rony” Roca.
Christian’s path to victory saw him outmaneuver a formidable lineup of opponents. He defeated NM Oscar Joseph Cantela in round 1, IM Chito Garma in round 2, IM Angelo Young in round 4, NM Carlo Lorena in round 5, NM Edmundo Gatus in round 6, FM Carlos Edgardo Garma in round 7, NM Homer Cunanan in round 8, IM Barlo Nadera in round 9, NM Romeo Alcodia in round 10, CM Genghis Imperial in round 12 and Agripino Camposano in round 13.
He drew with 1981 Asian Junior Champion IM Ricardo de Guzman in round 3. His only loss was inflicted by FM Adrian Ros Pacis in round 11.
For winning the tournament, the 14-year-old student of Dasmariñas Integrated High School got a chance to play 2-time Olympian IM Petronio “Rony” Roca in a challenge match. Playing black, Christian edged Rony and got added prizes of Php 5,000 courtesy of Rocafé Coffee Bar, Royal Maharaja Lady Eagles Club, Mapagmahal Region NCR 98, PER Solutions Engineering Services & Consultancy and C-Style Prints.
Christian is among the top players of the star-studded Dasmariñas Chess Academy of Rep. “Elpidio” Pidi Barzaga Jr., Mayor Jenny Austria-Barzaga and national coach FIDE Master Roel Abelgas.
IM Young came in second place with 10 points, losing only to the champion, IM Garma and IM Guzman, both scored 9 points, securing the third and fourth position.
IM Barlo Nadera clinched the fifth position with 8.5 points, followed by 16-year-old NM Oscar Joseph Cantela in sixth position with 7.5 points.
FM Pacis, NM Gatus, CM Imperial, FM Garma, NM Alcodia, NM Lorena, NM Cunanan and Camposano rounded out the top fourteen (14).
Meantime, Noel Jay “Super B” Estacio defeated Rodel Jose Juadinez Jr. in the play off to win the side event.
Tournament director was NM Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. assisted by Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. IIEE National Past President Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez and FIDE Arbiter Byron Gabrentina Villar.
Christian is setting his sights on becoming the country’s next International Master. Christian. He is scheduled to compete in the 21st Bangkok Chess Club Open scheduled April 13 to 21, 2024 at the Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa in Phetchaburi, Thailand.
His current Elo rating is 2283 (standard), 2246 (rapid), and 2274 (blitz).
He bagged his first IM norm during the 18th IGB Dato’ Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championship held at the Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last September.
It shall be recalled that Christian scored 8.5 points in nine rounds to rule the side event (blitz competition) of the FIDE World Youth Chess Championship held last November at the Pala Dean Martin Centro Congressi in Montesilvano, Italy.
Christian also won the gold medal in the blitz competition of the Eastern Asia Juniors and Girls Chess Championship 2023 at the Sabah Oriental Hotel in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia last December.-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo caption:
Final Standings: (Single Round Robin format, time control of eight minutes plus three seconds increment, 14 players field)
11.5 points—FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca
10 points—IM Angelo Young
9 points—IM Chito Garma, IM Ricardo de Guzman
8.5 points—IM Barlo Nadera
7.5 points—NM Oscar Joseph Cantela
7 points—FM Adrian Ros Pacis
5.5 points—NM Edmundo Gatus, CM Genghis Imperial
5 points—FM Carlos Edgardo Garma, NM Romeo Alcodia
4 points—NM Carlo Lorena
2.5 points—NM Homer Cunanan
2 points—Agripino Camposano