Philippines, 16 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Wunderkid Arca Earns 2nd International Master Norm In Vietnam Tourney; pockets chess title


PhilBoxing.com


Final Standings:
6.0 points---FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca ( Philippines)
5.5 points---CM Dinh Nho Kiet (Vietnam)
5.0 points---IM Michael Concio Jr. (Philippines), GM Nguyen Anh Dung (Vietnam)
4.5 points---GM John Paul Gomez (Philippines), IM Liu Xiangyi (Singapore)
4.0 points---IM Lou Yiping (China), CM Dau Khuong Duy (Vietnam)
3.5 points---GM Tran Tuan Minh (Vietnam)
3.0 points---IM Setyaki Azarya Jodi (Indonesia)

Manila---FIDE Master (FM) Christian Gian Karlo Arca of the Philippines halved the point with Candidate Master (CM) Dau Khuong Duy of Vietnam in the last round to earn his second International Master norm in the Quang Ninh GM2 chess tournament in Ha Long Ward, Ha Long City, Vietnam on Sunday.

Arca, playing black, drew with Dau after 67 moves of Caro kann defense, advance variation.

The 15-year-old woodpusher from Dasmariñas City, Cavite finished the round robin tournament with 6.0 points on three wins and six draws en route the coveted chess title, organized by Viet Nam Chess Federation.

Arca’s other draws were against Grandmaster (GM) Nguyen Anh Dung of Vietnam (Round 1), International Master (IM) Michael Concio Jr. of the Philippines (Round 4), International Master (IM) Liu Xiangyi of Singapore (Round 6), Grandmaster (GM) John Paul Gomez of the Philippines (Round 7) and Candidate Master (CM) Dinh Nho Kiet of Vietnam (Round 8).

He beat International Master (IM) Yiping Lou of China (Round 2), International Master (IM) Azarya Jodi Setyaki of Indonesia (Round 3) and top seed Grandmaster (GM) Tran Tuan Minh of Vietnam (Round 5).

The Grade 9 student from Dasmariñas Integrated High School has gained 62.8 ELO points from the Vietnam event, to be added to his rating of 2265 as of May 1, 2024.

Christian is among the top players of the star-studded Dasmariñas Chess Academy of Mayor Jenny Austria-Barzaga and national coach FIDE Master Roel Abelgas.

“Christian was very happy to get his second IM norm in the tournament. He needs one more norm to complete his IM title, so he’s really motivated,” said Abelgas.

“Again I would like to dedicate my victory to my countrymen especially to the late Cong. Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr. It’s an honor to represent our country,” said Arca who also got his first IM norm during the 18th IGB Dato' Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championships held on Aug. 28 to Sept. 3, 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

To become an IM, a player must get the three norms over 27 or more games and a FIDE rating of 2400 or more. ELO is a rating system to measure the skill level of players in games.

Meanwhile, Christian, who hails from Panabo City is scheduled to compete in the Hanoi GM closed tournament on May 21-26 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

He will also join the 8th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship on July 12-21, 2024 in Penang, Malaysia.-Marlon Bernardino-


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 17 JUNE 2026: Bam Stops Vargas in 6; Wins by Michel Soro, Wilkens Mathieu, Elif Nur Turhan, Nataly Delgado and Abraham Perez
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated world champion Ataev faces experienced Venezuelan puncher Uzcátegui at IBA PRO 19
    , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Full Fight Card Set for MF Pro’s “Pugilist Revolution” June 19 at Thunder Studios in Long Beach
    , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Campbell son of Ricky Hatton confirms ring return
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Deaño to fight for ABF super feather title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Former champ Andy Ruiz could return against Huggie Fury in 2026
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Mexican legend Jackie Nava inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 15 Jun 2026
  • Ronnie Alvarez Dominates Filip Stankovic, Scores Seventh-Round TKO at Desert Diamond Arena
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • THE CROWNING OF BAM: Rodriguez Overcomes Early Storm to Detonate Vargas in Six, Eyes Inoue Super-Fight
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • New York Knicks win the NBA Championship with historic comeback
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Panamanian superstar Nataly Delgado wins 115lb female WBA world championship in Orlando, Florida
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • IBA Bare Knuckle to make historic United States debut in Miami
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Laurente remains undefeated, TKOs Aguan in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Foundation stone laid for the first-ever IBA arena in Dushanbe
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Jerick Faeldonia Wins One Chess Movement Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Bam Rodriguez vs Antonio Vargas & Martinez vs Cardenas Preview and Picks
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Popper vs. Seldon Jr. Official Weights for June 13 in Atlantic City
    , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • GLENDALE, AZ FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR BAM VS VARGAS – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated Middleweight Amir Anderson Meets Jonas Sylvain in Battle of Unbeatens on DAZN
    , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Munsayac, Celones get FMA award
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Weigh-In Results for Sanman 101: Laurente Eyes Home Victory
    , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • Arleah Cassandra Sapuan of Valencia, Negros finishes ninth in Las Vegas chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • EVERY WORD FROM THE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE AHEAD OF BAM VS. VARGAS IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA
    , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • IBA President warns Olympic movement will fade unless IOC rewards athletes and reforms now
    , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • 2026 NBA Finals: Knicks Rally from 29 Points Down to Steal Game 4 from Spurs 107-106
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.