FIDE Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca made heads turn after topping the blitz tournament at the FIDE World Youth Chess Championship recently in Montesilvano, Italy.

The 14-year-old student of Dasmariñas Integrated High School scored 8.5 points in nine rounds to rule the side event of the prestigious age-group chess tournament in the world held at the Pala Dean Martin Centro Congressi.

He scored eight straight victories Stellan Zamir of Italy, Martin Kanchev of Bulgaria, Jiang Qin Yu of China, Muhamed Sisic of Bosnia & Herzegovina; Grandmaster Gevorg Harutjunyan of Armenia; FIDE Master Benik Agasarov of Armenia; FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo of the Philippines; and International Master Fouad El Taher of Egypt in the first eight rounds of the blitz tournament before settling for a draw with Li Sbanglin of China in the final round.

Agasarov came in second with 8.0 points while Bacojo scored 7.5 points and placed third by virtue of of having a superior tie break points over fourth placer Li.

The chess event carried a time control of 3 minutes with an increment of 2 seconds per move.