Arca shines with two golds in national chess tilt

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March 18, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Runner-up in the standard second, Christian Gian Karlo Arca struck in rapid and blitz for a two-gold and one-silver haul in the premier Under-18 Open division of the National Age-Group Chess Championships at the FPJ Arena in San Jose, Batangas over the weekend.

The 16-year-old from Panabo, Davao del Norte swept both divisions in seven games and earned a spot in the Asian Youth Chess Championships set Nov. 20 to 30 in Bangkok, Thailand.

It was a complete turnaround from his performance in the standard class where he just couldn’t find his rhythm.

But the double-gold was enough to soften the impact of his failed bid in standard of this meet sponsored by CoinEx and backed by host Mayor Ben Patron and Rep. Mark Lester Patron, the Philippine Sports Commission and NCFP.