The Philippine chess team is looking to perform well in the Asian Youth Chess Championships schedule July 15 to 25 in Shenzhen, China.
International Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca and Woman National Master Nika Juris Nicolas will see in action in the highly anticipated tournament is open to Open and Girls competitors across several categories, Under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18.
It features standard, rapid and blitz chess formats, drawing top young chess talents from federations across Asia to compete for medals and titles.
It shall be recalled that Arca, the top player of Zamboanga City saved the best for last as he topped the open Under-16 blitz section for the Philippines' lone gold medal in the last year 27th Asian Youth Chess Championship in Thailand.
Arca scored 7.5 points on seven wins and a draw against single defeat to claim the title after finishing ahead of Vietnamese FIDE Master Dinh Nho Kiet and Indian IM Ethan Vaz, who wound up second and third, respectively, with seven points apiece.
It didn't matter that Arca suffered his one and only defeat in the ninth and final round to Vaz.
Arca is also fresh from winning the Asenso Ozamis-6th Governor Henry S. Oaminal Open Chess Championship held at the Ozamis City Gymnasium on July 11-12,2026.
With an impressive undefeated 8 wins and a single draw in nine game to clinch the coveted title.
Governor Oaminal, true to his commitment to supporting chess, doubled the guaranteed champion's prize from P50,000 to P100,000, rewarding the outstanding achievement of the new Open champion.
Nicolas, the pride of Pasig City on her part, bagged the bronze medal in the Sux Days Budapest Under 2050 category chess tournament held from September 12-17,2025 in Budapest, Hungary.
"Good luck to Baby Nika and Christian as they represent the Philippines at the Asian Youth Chess Championships in Shenzhen, China (July 15–25)," said Atty. Nikki De Vega, proud mother of Nika Juris Nicolas.
"Though I can't be there physically to cheer you on, Baby Nika, know that I am with you in spirit for every single match. Go Team Philippines," added Atty. De Vega, legal counsel of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) under the leadership of its Chairman/President Cong. Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. (Marlon Bernardino)
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