Report by Ignatius Leong
Ahn Hongjin becomes a hero in this Round 6 by defeating Nguyen Hoang Duc to take the sole lead with 5 points. Ahn has cleared all the “contenders” and may breeze through to become the first International Master in South Korea!
Filipino Daniel Quizon was held to a draw by Korean FM Lee Jun Hyeok. Daniel has 4.5 and Lee with 4.
In the Girls Round 5, the darling from Indonesia Diajeng Singgih was over-powered by Malaysian Rosamund Koo. Filipino Kylen Mordido is in the sole lead with 4.5 followed by Diajeng and Vietnamese Nguyen Thi Minh Oanh on 3.5 points. Rosamund has 3 points. The championship may have to be decided in the last round encounter between Kylena and Diajeng.
In Round 5 of the Girls Championship, Indonesian Diajeng Singgih wrapped up the game in less than 90 minutes against Vietnamese Nguyen Thi Ming Oanh. Filipino Kylen Mordido maintained the joint lead after Malaysian Rosamund Koo overlooked a fork in an about equal ending.
In the Junior, 14-year old Filipino wonder boy Daniel Quizon outplayed Vietnamese Nguyen Hoang Duc in a long drawn ending to join the lead with the latter. Meanwhile, Korean Ahn Hongjin defeated the Indonesian favourite Jodi Setyaki to also share the lead.
Daniel is another product of the ASEAN Age Group series. At only 14, he will not just be the next “Wesley So” but make a name for himself within the next years.
By the way, of the 24 participants, 10 are under the age of 18 while 4 (2 joint leaders) are below 14. It is still puzzling as to why the Asian Chess Federation “approved” that 3 events take place within 3 weeks … The Eastern Asia Juniors and Eastern Asia Youth currently in Korea and China respectively; and the “main” Asian Juniors one week later in Mongolia.