IM Christian Arca sweeps 10-game simultaneous chess in IIEE SMRC in Davao City
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 30 Aug 2025
The newly FIDE recognized International Master (IM) Christian Gian Karlo Arca stamped his class scoring 10-0 wins in the 10 boards simultaneous chess held at SMX Lanang in Davao City last August 28, 2025 during the 26th IIEE Southern Mindanao Regional Conference (SMRC).
He beat Notlee Tan, Elton Tan, Marlon Bulao, Elmer Claveria, Edwin Bacalso, LJ Antiquiza, Drinze Eljon Mahilum, Mac Kelvin Aranjuez, Renz Michael Ignacio and 2024 Philippine National Paragames Bonze medalist Al Theo Nazareno.
IM Arca also joined the IIEE community service at Brgy, Mahayag Buhangin where IIEE conduct electrical safety awareness and distribute comics which featured IM Arca as superhero Voltaire. IM Arca played 2 exhibition games which he won versus Jun Drilon and 11-yr old Dan Joel Tinio.
IM Arca is the recent Gold Medalist of the Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship 2025 (U18 Open) which he held since 2023, Champion - Quang Ninh Vietnam International Master Tournament, 2025 Best Junior - Bangkok Open International Tournament and 2025 Multi Gold Medalist - Asian School Chess Championship. He started his chess journey when he was 9 years old in 2018, becomes National Master in 2021, FIDE Master in 2023 and this month as the currenty youngest IM of the Philippines.
AGM Carl Zirex Sato is the champion of SMRC chess with 4.5 points with wins versus Elton Tan, Lito Laput, Edwin Bacalso, Reuben Reuyan and a draw with NM Macacuna Macala who settled for 3rd place. NM Macala had same 4 points with Eduard Sumerigido, Reuyan and Arnold Jabilles who gained 2nd place after applying the tie breaks. Elmer Claveria, former chapter president of IIEE South Cotabato, is the top IIEE followed by Gideon Sinday and Jeffrey Dionsay. The IIEE top players will be advancing to inter-island qualifier with other 10 regions of IIEE on September 13, 2025 at Koten, Pasay City.
The Tournament was supervised by International Arbiter James Infiesto with his team Jandee Bon Infiesto and Cecilo Acas. Tournament director is Teddy Recomes supervised by IIEE Golden Sports Chairman and Vice Chairman Menandro Lim and Ervin Fernandez, 2021 IIEE National President Allan Alvarez, IIEE Davao President Moises Fule and IIEE SMR Governor Bong Gamad.
In round 7 of the IIEE National Chess Olympiad season 7, Mapua topped the level 1 with 208 points led by Samson Chhiu Chhin Lim, Don Tyrone Delos Santos, Sherwin Tiu, IM Idelfonso Datu and Kelly Rancap. IIEE Singapore came 2nd with 173 led by FM Mark Jay Bacojo, FM Narquingden Reyes with his brothers Chester Neil, Narquingel and Mark Gerald. Mapua now leads the season with 974 total points which is a higher thank Singapore and FCPL-Qatar equalling their level-championship to 5 each. Other level winners are International Chess Friends and Federation (ICFF), IIEE Saudi and IIEE Mindanao. -Marlon Bernardino-
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