Arca, a 14-year-old prodigy considered the next big thing in Philippine chess, scored six points to rule the division and get the bragging rights as the best 18 and under chess player in the Philippines today.
Last February 25, Arca also got sixth place in the tough KAMATYAS Invitational FIDE Rapid Chess Tournament at SM Sucat, Parañaque.
Arca finished sixth among the 150 competitors consisting of some of the top chess players in the country. The teen chess wizard won P2,000 cash and a medal.
The City Council of Panabo City recently praised Arca for bringing honor to the city in the Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship 2022 (U14 class) at the Asia Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 12, 2022.
City Vice-Mayor, Gregorio "Banjong" Dujali III, through a resolution filed by City Councilors Danica Carisma and Ronald Ang, gives recognition to the chess achievement of Arca.
Arca and his police officer's father personally attended the event. In the Thailand tournament, Arca set an Asian record in chess. Arca, a Grade 8 student at Dasmarinas Integrated High School, played under the direction of Representative Pidi Barzaga, Mayor Jenny Barzaga, National Coach Fide Master Roel Abelgas, and Class Advisor Melinda Calumaya.
Arca finished with 7.5 points in nine games of the standard time control format and won the Gold Individual Award in the Under-14 division and the Fide Master (FM) title outright. Arca, now playing for Dasmarinas City, Cavite, earned the most points and led the Philippine Under-14 team to a Gold Team Award in both the Rapid and Standard Events.
Arca won the Bronze Individual Rapid Award as well. She is a National Master (NM) and an online Arena Grandmaster (AGM). Ivan Travis Cu, John Cyrus Borce, and Arca also received a Silver Team Blitz award. Arca, the U14 player with the most honors, also received two trophies for his efforts. Arca's chess campaign in Thailand will be feasible, thanks to the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, the Philippine Sports Commission, Governor Edwin Jubahib of Davao del Norte, Representative Alan Dujali, Mayor Jenny Barzaga, and Representative Pidi Barzaga. (Romeo Braceros Jr.)
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