Montesilvano, Italy – Filipino FIDE Master Mark Jay Daños Bacojo made a significant achievement at the World Youth Chess Championships, securing his second of three norms required to become an International Master. This milestone was reached after his victory over Armenian International Master Emin Ohanyan in Round 8 of the tournament.
According to Philippines News Agency, laying with the black pieces, Bacojo, a Grade 12 student from Dasmariñas Integrated High School, emerged victorious after 43 moves of Caro-Kann Defense. This win not only earned him the norm but also improved his ELO rating to 2387. Bacojo, who now shares second place in the FIDE Standard Tournament, has accumulated 6.5 points (six wins, one loss, and one draw). He is set to face Russian IM Aleksey Grebnev in Round 9. Bacojo's first norm was secured during the 18th IGB Dato' Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championship in Kuala Lumpur. He is a member of the Dasmariñas Chess Academy, supported by Mayor Jenny Barzaga, Rep. Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr., and national coach FIDE Master Roel Abelgas.