NM Christian Gian Karlo Arca fell to NM Julius Gonzales, chess varsity of University of Santo Tomas chess varsity 5-9 in a race to nine chess tournament.
Arca who fought gallantly in the match said he felt tired in the remaining few rounds of their match-up which lead to his defeat.
Despite his defeat, Arca still earned praise from the chess community due to his risky and aggressive style in playing chess.
Last January 28-30, 2022, Arca placed ninth in the grand finals of the Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation Secondary Online Rapid Chess Championship 2021 Palarong Pambansa Continuity Plan Pilot Event.
Arca got a ninth-place finish in the boy's division of the tournament which features some of the top young wood pushers of the country.
Arca won P1,000 as a prize.
Aside from Arca, two other young chessers from Davao del Norte also made it to the grand finals but unfortunately, they did not make it to the top 10.
Alijah Rae Lumangtad of Tagum City competed in the girl's division in the tournament by some of the top young chessers in the country.
Panaboan Jerome Pullos also competed in the tournament in the boy's division.
Lumangtad got the slot to the finals after he won the Mindanao leg of the tournament after scoring 7.5 points last December 3-5.
Arca for his part took the third spot in the same leg with seven points.
Pullos also made it to the finals after making it to the top 10 in the same leg.
Lumangtad, Arca, and Pullos are considered three of the top young chess players in Davao del Norte and the entire region 11.
Recently, Lumangtad and Arca were declared as overall champions in the Davao del Norte chess online tournament.
In the 15 and under boys category, Arca was declared overall champion after scoring 81 points.
In the girls 15 and under division, Lumangtad of Tagum City won the overall championship by scoring 85 points.
All the winners won cash prizes and certificates. (Romeo Braceros Jr.)
Photo: AJ Arkz FB page
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