Ozamiz city: Filipino Christian Gian Karlo Arca defeated compatriot Tyrhone James Tabernilla in the third round Wednesday to gain a share of the lead in the 6th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Individual Chess Championships-Gov. Henry Oaminal Cup at the Misamis Occidental Resort and Aquamarine Park in Ozamiz City.
According to Philippines News Agency, the 16-year-old Arca from Panabo, Davao del Norte, emerged victorious after 57 moves of a Catalan encounter, joining Vietnamese Grandmaster Tran Tuan Minh, Indian International Master (IM) V S Raahul, and Mongolian IM Munkhdalai Amilal at the top of the leaderboard with 2.5 points each. Raahul and Tran shared a point, while Munkhdalai defeated Indonesian FIDE Master Fabien Glen Mariano.
Other competitors, including Filipinos GM John Paul Gomez and IMs Pau Bersamina, Jem Garcia, Michael Concio Jr., and Kim Steven Yap, are closely trailing with 2.0 points each. They are joined by GM Nguyen Van Huy, IM Dang Hoang Son, and FM Dinh Nho Kiet of Vietnam, IM Kamotra Soham of India, and FM Wong Yinh Long of Malaysia.
In the women’s division, WFM Ruelle Canino faced a setback, losing to WGM Hoang Thi Bao Tram of Vietnam, which placed her in a tie for sixth place with 2.0 points alongside 10 others. This group includes Olympiad teammates WGM Janelle Mae Frayna, WIMs Bernadette Galas, Jan Jodilyn Fronda, and World Youth bronze medalist Jemaica Yap Mendoza.
The tournament is a nine-round event, and winners in both the men and women categories will be awarded an outright GM title.
