Arca Shines with Double Gold in National Age-Group Chess Championships

MANILA, Philippines — Christian Gian Karlo Arca made a remarkable comeback at the National Age-Group Chess Championships, securing two gold medals and a silver in the Under-18 Open division at FPJ Arena in San Jose, Batangas, over the weekend.

The 16-year-old chess prodigy from Panabo, Davao del Norte, dominated both the rapid and blitz categories, sweeping all seven matches in each event. His stellar performance earned him a coveted spot in the upcoming Asian Youth Chess Championships, scheduled for November 20 to 30 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Arca’s triumph in the faster-paced formats was a stark contrast to his campaign in the standard division, where he struggled to find his rhythm and settled for a runner-up finish. Despite falling short in the classical format, his twin gold medals more than made up for the setback, solidifying his reputation as one of the country’s most promising young chess players.

The tournament, backed by CoinEx and supported by San Jose Mayor Ben Patron and Rep. Mark Lester Patron, along with the Philippine Sports Commission and the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), served as a crucial battleground for the nation's top junior players.

With his latest achievement, Arca continues to prove his mettle on the board, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting campaign in the Asian Youth Chess Championships later this year.