TOP seed International Master (IM) John Marvin Miciano of Davao City grabbed the fourth spot in open 20 division after second round of the ongoing 19th Asean+ Age Group Chess Championships held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel as of Wednesday.
Miciano, 17, earned 1.5 points after forcing a draw with
compatriot Daniel Quizon of Dasmariñas, Cavite, in the second round Wednesday following a win over South Korean candidate master Kwon Sehyun in the opener.
“Naga-try talaga siya para makuha ‘yung GM (Grandmaster) norm kasipag champion ka sa open under 20 which is the primary division, aside sa may katumbasna IM title meron ding GM norm,” Ma. Teresa, mother of John Marvin, said in an interview.
Miciano earned his IM title in Thailand a month ago.
Her mother added that his son's next target is to improve his 2459 rating to 2500.
Miciano was playing Agni Jeevitesh Sai of India as of this writing Wednesday.
National Master (NM) Alexander Lupian won two straight rounds to lead seniors 50 and 65 below category.
He defeated Pouelsten Holm Garbow of Denmark in the second round and will next face fellow Filipino Edumndo Gatus.
Ella Grace Moulic, a varsity scholar of De La Salle University, outclassed Thanh Thy Tien Nguyen of Vietnam to share the lead with fellow two-pointers WFMs Karenza Dita of Indonesia and Shania Mae Mendoza of the Philippines.
Moulic subdued Filipino Vebien Rafales in the first round.
Samathan Umayan, who won three gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal in the 18th edition in Malaysia last year, bowed to Filipino Franchesca Largo in girls under 12.
Irish Yngayo and Blanche Ellyz Bongato, who both won their first matches in the girls under 16 division, lost their respective second round matches.
Yngayo drew with Mary Joy Tan to share the ninth place with Thao Tam Nghiem of Vietnam while Bongato lost to Vu Thu Hien Nguyen of Vietnam, dropping to 14th.