Arca wins silver in Asian Youth in Shenzhen, China
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 25 Jul 2026
International Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca, of Zamboanga City who is a consistent medalist in international competitions and the brightest hope to become the first Grandmaster from Mindanao, added another trophy in his collection after winning the silver medal in the 28th Asian Youth Blitz Chess Championships 2026 Boys 18 and under division held at the Coli Hotel in Shenzhen, China on Friday, July 24.
In a must win situation in his final game to secure the silver medal, the 17-year-old Arca, a Grade 12 student of Ramon Enriquez High School defeated FIDE Master Maksim Volkov of Russia and finished the 9-round tournament with 7.0 points on account of 7 wins, and 2 losses.
FIDE Master Madhvendra Pratap Sharma of India settled for third for the bronze medal with similar 7.0 points (lower tie break).
FIDE Master Vu Anh Duong of Vietnam won the title and the gold medal with 7.5 points.
Arca opened his campaign in a bright note after beating Shu Heng Ng of Malaysia in the first round, and Mingren Hong of China in the second round.
However, Arca suffered back-to-back losses at the hands of FM Sajid Sakline Mostafa of Bangladesh (Round 3) and eventual champion FM Duong (Round 4).
But Arca bounced and beat his last five rounds opponents against Timur Daudov of Krygystan in the fifth round, FM VS Nandish of India in the sixth round, Erfan Ahmadi of Iran in the seventh round, FM Nirish Kumar Siva Kumar of Malaysia in the eight round and FM Maksim Volkov of Russia in the ninth and final round to secure the silver medal.
"I thank God for winning the silver medal in the blitz competition," said Arca, a product of the grass roots chess development program of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines under the leadership of it's Chairman/ President Rep. Prospero "Butch" Arreza Pichay Jr.
Arca's trip was supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Rep. Pichay, and former Senator Manny Pacquiao, who is also the 3rd Vice President of NCFP.
Meanwhile, another Filipino entry Woman Candidate Master Nika Juris Nicolas finished in a tie for 5th to 10th place in the Girls 14 and under with 6.0 points.
After the tie break points were applied, the chess wizard from Pasig City wound up 10th place.
Three players shared the top spot with 7.0 points each.
After the tie break, WFM Wu Shuang of China won the gold followed by the silver medalist WFM Nguyen Minh Chi of Vietnam, and bronze medalist WCM Maitreyi Mondal of India.
Nika's proud mother Atty. Nikki de Vega who is also the legal adviser of the chess Federation, posted the following on her Facebook account:
"For the Blitz Event in the Asian Youth Chess Championships in China, Baby Nika tied for 5th Place but was relegated to 10th Place due to tiebreaks. Congratulations Baby Nika!
Congratulations also to IM Christian Arca who bagged the Silver Medal in the Blitz Event.
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas.
Now, I can finally relax and enjoy Korea without stressing over Nika's games." (Marlon Bernardino)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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