Garcia bags lone chess gold

SUBIC—Fide Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia lived up to his top billing yesterday, beating Amirsalar Javidfar in the ninth and final round to become the Philippines’ lone gold medalist and put a dent on India’s dominance in the Asian Youth Chess Championship at the Travelers Hotel here.

The incoming Ateneo high school senior notched a total of seven points on five wins and four draws in ruling the open under-16 category at the expense of Iranian Nima Javanbakht of the 20-nation event and completing his requirements for an International Master title.

It was the third IM result for the 15-year-old Garcia, who secured two IM norms during the 9th Asian Individual Chess Championship also held here last year.

All that Garcia needs to do is raise his current Elo rating of 2344 to 2400 to be a full-fledged IM, according to Asian Chess Federation deputy vice president Toti Abundo, who also served as tournament director in the weeklong competition.

Other Filipnos who delivered with silver medals were Dennis Gutierrez III in the open under-8, Jan Jodilyn Fronda in the girls’ under -8 and Samantha Glo Revita (girls’ under-12). Gutierrez trounced Macau’s Li Chin Chon to climb to 7.0 points, a full point behind Indian LN Aravind Ram. World Youth veteran Fronda bested Mongolian Bayar Anu to finish with 7.0 points and take second behind Indian WFM Rucha Pujari (7.5 points). Revita posted 6.5 points and also landed second behind Indian WFM Maria Ivana Furtado (7.0 points)