Philippines, 19 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm


PhilBoxing.com


Bangkok, Thailand – FIDE Master Christian Gian Carlo Arca split the point with countryman International Master Paulo Bersamina in 41 moves of the King's Indian Defense, creating a six-way tie for fifth place after the seventh round of the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club Open 2025 on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 16-year-old bet from Panabo City, Davao del Norte, Arca, has accumulated 5.5 points, the same score as Grandmaster Surya Shekhar Ganguly of India, Bersamina, International Master James Morris of Australia, International Master Michael Concio Jr., and Arsens Batashevs of Latvia.

The draw brings Arca closer to achieving his third and final International Master (IM) norm.

He earned his first IM norm at the 18th IGB Dato Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championships 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

His second IM norm was secured after winning the Quang Ninh GM2 chess tournament in Ha Long City, Vietnam, on May 19, 2024.

"I am very happy to potentially get my third and final norm in this tournament (22nd Bangkok Chess Club Open 2025)," said Arca.

"With two rounds to go, I will need one draw to get my third and final IM norm. If I am lucky enough to win my two remaining games, a Grandmaster (GM) norm is also possible," he added.

To become an IM, a player must achieve three norms over at least 27 games and have a FIDE rating of 2400 or higher. The Elo rating system measures the skill level of players in games.

In other results, Ganguly was defeated by Grandmaster Evgeny Romanov of North Macedonia in 38 moves of the French Defense. Romanov grabbed the solo lead with 6.5 points after seven rounds.

Morris bested Tony Zheng of Australia in 38 moves of the King's Indian Attack, Concio crushed Haoxuan Zhang of China in 64 moves of the London System Opening, and Batashevs toppled International Master Azarya Jodi Setyaki of Indonesia in 24 moves of the Centre Game.

Grandmaster Stephen Gordon of England beat Grandmaster Nigel Short of England in 53 moves of the Sicilian Defense to score 6.0 points and climb into a tie for second to fourth place along with Grandmaster Babu M. R. Lalith of India and FIDE Master Ern Jie Anderson Ang of Malaysia.

Lalith defeated Grandmaster Jozsef Horvath of Hungary in 32 moves of the Torre Attack Opening, while Ang subdued International Master Arif Abdul Hafiz of Indonesia in 35 moves of the King's Indian Defense.

Meanwhile, John Paul De Guzman defeated overnight solo leader Tran Nguyen Dang Khoa of Vietnam to seize the solo lead with 6.5 points after seven rounds in the Challenger section. -Marlon Bernardino-


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • 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
  • 75 climbers start trekking to Mt. Apo today
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Dainier Pero Locked In Ahead of WBA Continental USA Title Defense in Orlando
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • A Milestone Birthday: Celebrating Brico Santig's 50 Years of Dedication, and Triumph
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • PH bet Chezka Centeno finishes 2nd in Florida
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 16 FEBRUARY 2026: Ajagba, Dzambekov, Ruiz Register Stoppage Wins in Zuffa Event
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace”
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • All eyes on GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • WBC Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios Locked in for Ryan Garcia Showdown February 21 at T-Mobile Arena
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Dana White mocks traditional boxing promoters: "No contest, it's like hitting babies"
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • LEIGH WOOD OUTLINES PLAN OF ATTACK FOR SOLD OUT REMATCH AGAINST JOSH WARRINGTON
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Cain Velasquez released from a California State prison
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Patrick Rivera wins Pacman's Cue Club 10-Ball Tournament; pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight Pryce Taylor Fighting again in Detroit this Sunday on Claressa Shields’ card
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES Gabriela Tellez Ready to Make a Statement This Friday in Orlando
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026
  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca faces tough competition in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026
  • Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 15 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.