FILIPINO FIDE Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca won the U17 blitz gold at the 18th Asian Schools Chess Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday, December 10.

In the final round, Arca, 15, drew with fellow Filipino Oscar Joseph Cantela and ended the tournament tied with Turkmenistan’s Serdar Bayramov with 7.5 points. Arca claimed the gold after winning their head-to-head encounter in the third round, which served as the tiebreaker.

“I dedicate this victory to my countrymen,” said Arca, a Grade 10 student at Panabo City National High School in Davao del Norte.

Arca also earned two silver medals in individual and team standard events with Cantela and Lemmuel Jay Adena. In the team rapid event, Arca’s teammates Arleah Cassandra Sapuan, Kate Nicole Ordizo, and Beatrice Ann Bombales helped secure the bronze.