Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher (center) with, to his left, Zone 3.5 President Abigail Tian Hong Wei and to his right Yuan Xiong, Deputy Director of the Zhuhai Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports, and also the President of the Zhuhai Sports Federation. At right is Chief Arbiter K.K. Chan, president of Hong Kong Chess Federation.
Chinese children earned five gold medals followed by Mongolia and Philippines with two gold medals each in the Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship held 20-28 July 2025 in Zhuhai, China. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings and to download scoresheets.
Separate groups of Boys and girls under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 are playing Standard chess. Blitz chess is scheduled 28th July followed by Rapid chess on 29th July.
A record 461 players are participating from 14 countries, namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam and host China.
Filipino Christian Gian Karlo Arca shines at 9th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship, Secures gold medal and direct IM title.
By Marlon Bernardino
Filipino Christian Gian Karlo Arca (ELO 2410), a rising star from Mindanao, added another feather to his cap after winning the gold medal in the Under 18 Standard category of the 9th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship 2025 held at the Zhuhai Holiday Resort in Zhuhai, Guangdong, China on July 28, 2025.
Needing only a draw in his final game to secure the gold medal in the U18 category, Arca went for a win. His goal was to become overall champion in the Under 18 Standard event category to earn him the International Master (IM) title.
The 16 -year old Filipino defeated Yihang Song of China in the last round to clinch the title. Arca finished undefeated with 8.0 points on seven wins and two draws in nine outings.
Arca defeated Hong Quan Vo of Vietnam in the first round, Yibai Ren of China in the second round, FIDE Master Khishigbat Ulziikhishig of Mongolia in the third round, FIDE Master Ivan Travis Cu of the Philippines in the fourth round, Xiaozhi Wang of China in the fifth round, An Hoa Do of Vietnam in the seventh round and Song in the ninth and final round.
He split the points with Kailin Chen of China in the six round and Zhening Hu of China in the eight round.
FM Ulziikhishig took the silver medal with 6.5 points, a half point ahead of Do An Hoa, Hu Zhening and FM Cu each with 6.0 points.
The National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), under the leadership of Chairman/President Cong. Prospero ‘Butch’ Pichay Jr. and CEO/Executive Director Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) headed by Chairman John Patrick ‘Pato’ Gregorio , Commissioner Ed Hayco, Commissioner Olivia ‘Bong’ Co and other PSC officials were recognized for their continued support of Arca and other Filipino athletes pursuing excellence in the global chess scene.-Marlon Bernardino-
