Christian Gian Karlo Arca (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Filipino FIDE Master (FM) Christian Gian Karlo Arca conquered International Master (IM) Ganzorig Amartuvshin in the sixth round to keep his title campaign alive in the Eastern Asia Juniors and Girls Chess Championships in Karawaci-Tangerang, Indonesia on Monday night.
The 15-year-old from Panabo, Davao del Norte now has 5.0 points to share the Open division lead with Mongolian IM Munkhdalai Amilal and Indonesian FM Nayaka Budhidharma.
Arca, who already secured the rapid title on July 5, will face Amilal in the next round. He is seeking a third norm to become an International Master.
He earned the second norm in the Grandmaster tournament in Vietnam last May.
In the girls' division, 17-year-old Franchesca Largo defeated Indonesia’s Shafira Devi Herfesa to share third place with Mongolian FM Nanjid Tsogzolmaa with 4.5 points.
Indonesian WIM Laysa Latifah is on top with 5.5 points, while compatriot WFM Cecilia Natalie Liuviann is in second with 5.0 points.
Indonesians Ivana Maria Treopolsa, WCM Theodora Paulina Walukow and WFM Samantha Edithso, and Singaporean Durga Saravanan are tied for fourth place with 4.0 points.
The participation of Arca and Largo is supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and the Philippine Sports Commission. (PNA)
