Uzbekistan Wins Overall Asian Schools Chess Championship

Uzbekistan won 19 gold medals to top the Asian Schools Chess Championship organized by the Uzbekistan Chess Federation under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE from 19 to 29 June 2019 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Three best Federations by gold medals and other medals in all categories received team trophies: First place went to Uzbekistan with 19 gold medals, 13 silver and 16 bronze medals. Second place went to Kazakhstan (5 gold, 6 silver and 6 bronze medals), and third place went to Turkmenistan (5 gold medals, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals).

A record 186 players from 16 countries participated in the Standard, Rapid and Blitz championships. The tournament venue and official hotel of the event was the 5-star hotel International Hotel Tashkent.

Asian Chess Federation Secretary General Hisham Al Taher awarded prizes together with First Vice Chairman of Uzbekistan Chess Federation Mr. Husan Turdialiev and Sheikh Saud Bin Abdulaziz Al Mualla, President of Arab Chess Federation and President of the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club.

Visit chess-results.com for final standings in Standard, Rapid and Blitz.

Video Assisted Referee (VAR) used for the first time in chess

Anecdotally, VAR was used for the first time in chess at the Asian Schools Rapid chess championship. A Bangladeshi girl cried when her opponent made an illegal move which would lead to unstoppable mate. There was no proof since no Arbiter or witness observed the game and the electronic board did not function. Fortunately, Asian Chess Federation Secretary General Hisham Al Taher had his photo taken nearby which showed the position on the board immediately before the irregularity. The Bangladeshi girl won the game and eventually became champion.