12 hours Ago By PNA
MANILA – Filipino Fide Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca ruled the U17 blitz category in the 18th Asian Schools Chess Championships in Bangkok, Thailand Tuesday night, Dec. 10, 2024. The 15-year-old Arca settled for a draw with compatriot Oscar Joseph Cantela in the ninth and final round and prevailed over Turkmenistan’s Serdar Bayramov via tiebreak.
Arca and Bayramov were tied for first with 7.5 points but Arca secured the gold medal via the win-over-the-other-rule since he defeated Bayramove in the third round. Cantela was also tied for third with Mongolian FM Khishigbat Ulziikhishig but lost via tiebreak to settle for fourth place.
“I would like to dedicate this victory to my countrymen,” said Arca, a Grade 10 student at Panabo City National High School in Davao del Norte. / PNA.
