Philippines, 23 Feb 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:

  • Opening Round Bouts Set for Team USA at 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 23 Feb 2026
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier Expresses Pride as Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed Blu Girls Secure Wild Card Entry to WBSC World Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 23 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Set to Compete at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria
    , Sun, 22 Feb 2026
  • SMEP, SAEP round 6 standoff in PTC WED NEMO 4th D’ Engineers Chess Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 22 Feb 2026
  • Late Valentine’s gift for Lover Boy
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • “Prince” Albert Pagara Heads to Perth, Australia, for WBC Australasia Title Fight
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • BARRIOS vs GARCIA (FIGHT ANALYSIS)
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • FLOYD MAYWEATHER UNRETIRES
    , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • WBC Introduces new award "WBC Main Event" world championship Chain & Pendant
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • WOOD-WARRINGTON II OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR SOLD-OUT REMATCH IN NOTTINGHAM
    , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • "Rompete la Madre" documentary is now in the Mexican theaters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • A Massive Weekend Ahead for Renowned Trainer Bob Santos
    , Sat, 21 Feb 2026
  • Barrios vs Garcia: Where Art Thou Ryan Garcia?
    By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Pacman bout details revealed
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • IIEE to defend Billiard crown in PTC World 2026, World Champ Magpantay is PSA Awardee
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Wood-Warrington II Press Conference Quotes: Everything that Was Said Ahead of Saturday's Sold-Out Rematch in Nottingham
    , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Opponents for Rising Stars Jimuel Pacquiao Jr. and Curmel Moton on Feb. 28 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
    , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Rising Star Promotions Returns to Prudential Center April 10 LIVE ON PROBOX TV
    , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Sante Barley Trilogy Leg 1 on March 29 in Azuela
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Team Rapid chess tourney goes to Pasay City on March 8 By Marlon Bernardino
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • 3rd Horse Show & competition scheduled on February 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • Robinsons Bacolod Chess Festival set
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Alex Bray Set for WBA Continental Latin American Title Clash February 20 in Orlando
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Calls out Jai Opetaia
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • BREAKING NEWS: DAZN AND MATCHROOM BOXING SIGN NEW FIVE-YEAR DEAL
    , Thu, 19 Feb 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.