MANILA: The fourth round of the 2024 Asian Juniors and Girls Chess Championships will feature a highly anticipated match between International Master (IM) Michael Concio Jr. and FIDE Master (FM) Gian Karlo Arca after both players achieved draws in their third-round matches at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay City, Cavite.
According to Philippines News Agency, Concio Jr., who is the highest-rated Filipino participant with an ELO rating of 2368, shared a point with Russia’s No. 4 seed IM Artem Uskov, setting up his next game against Arca, who is seeded 12th with an ELO of 2199. Arca achieved a draw against Vietnam’s No. 5 seed IM Dau Khuong Duy. The results have heightened anticipation for their next encounter, which promises to be a critical matchup in the tournament.
In other games, top seed Alexsey Brevnev of Russia maintained his lead by defeating India’s No. 6 seed Candidate Master (CM) Yash Bharadia. This victory keeps Brevnev at the top of the standings with three points. Meanwhile, India’s No. 2
seed Krishan Rohit and Mongolia’s No. 7 seed Munkdhalai Amilal ended their games in draws, placing them among the leaders with 2.5 points alongside Concio, Arca, and Uskov.
The Filipino players also saw success in other matches, with David Sean Romualdez and Andrei Ainsley Dolorosa both securing victories against their compatriots and opponents from Guam, respectively, each earning two points so far in the tournament.
In the girls’ division, Russia’s No. 2 seed Woman International Master (WIM) Anna Shukhman and India’s No. 6 seed Halder Sneha won their matches, leading the scoreboard with three points each. However, reigning champion and top seed WIM G. Tejaswini of India is among those trailing closely with two points.
The tournament will continue to see fierce competition as players vie not only for individual victories but also for the gold, silver, and bronze medals awarded in the standard, rapid, and blitz categories.