The Zone 3.3 Zonal started 1st May with 52 players from six countries participating, namely Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Laos. Games are scheduled daily from 14:00-20:00 Manila time until 9th May. Watch games live on Followchess, chessbomb, chess.com and chess24. Download games at chess-results.com and see round by round pairings and standings. The World Cup time control is applied, namely 40 moves in 90 minutes followed by 30 minutes to finish with increment of 30 seconds per move from move 1.
As required by FIDE regulations, each venue has a Local Chief Arbiter and a Local Technical Assistant. Stable internet connection for players is the responsibility of the national federation. Players are grouped together in Zoom breakout rooms. In addition, each venue is monitored over Zoom by Arbiters. IA Hamid Majid of Malaysia proctors Philippines, IA Reden Cruz monitors Singapore, Thailand and Laos venues assisted by NA Susan Neri, IA Patrick Lee proctors Indonesia venue while FA Rudy Ibanez proctors Malaysian venue.
Players can play only on laptops. Before the start of each game, Local Arbiters check that the Task Manager is “Always on Top” and players are required to share their screen. After the game the browser history is saved by the Arbiters. Arbiters monitor video and audio. Players may not leave the playing area without the permission of the Arbiter. Players may not speak to others during the game and no spectators are allowed. No phones, headphones or earphones are allowed.
COVID restrictions are strictly observed. All are required to wear masks or face shields and hand sanitizers are provided. Temperatures are checked with clear warning that those with high temperatures will not be allowed to enter.
Above photos show the perfect conditions of the well lit, air-conditioned Indonesian venue in Bekasi, just outside Jakarta. Closely watching the players is IA Endar Sakti Lubis (at far right corner).
The Indonesian Chess Federation, headed by its President, Senator GM Utut Adianto, billeted their players in the Utut Adianto Chess Academy and Arbiters in nearby hotel. The Indonesian players are GM Susanto Megaranto, GM Novendra Priasmoro, IM Azarya Jodi Setyaki, IM Muhammad Lutfi Ali, IM Sean Winshand Cuhendi, IM Gilbert Elroy Tarigan, IM Yoseph Theolifus Taher, IM Mohammad Ervan, FM Pitra Andyka and CM Aditya Bagus Arfan.
Above is the Kuala Lumpur venue with one match played over-the-board. Regulations allow players in the same venue who are paired together to choose to play over-the-board. The Kuala Lumpur players are FM Rohan Shan Tze Navaratnam, FM Lim Zhuo-Ren, Ang Ern Jie Anderson, Wee Zhun Teh, FM Lye Lik Zang, Edwin Lam Choong Wai and Chee Sian Sebastien Chua. Local Chief Arbiter is FA Syawal Aqmar Shahrir Ariff.
Above is the Penang venue. Players are Looi Xin Hao, Poh Yu Tian, CM Tan Jun Ying, Keok Kai En, Wei Sheng Lim, Divyadarrshini Loganathan. Local Chief Arbiter is Lim Poay Sim.
The Singapore players above are IM Tin Jingyao and FM Jagadeesh Siddharth under the watchful eye of Local Chief Arbiter IA/IO Nisban Koh. They are playing at the Singapore Chess Federation headquarters.
Above is the Thailand venue with players Laohawirapap Prin and Wiwatanadate Poompong. Local Chief Arbiters are Klubwong Prakarn and Phanudom Khosak.
The Cebu, Philippines venue above in a plush hotel was arranged by chess patron Dr. Ariel Potot. Cebu players are WIM Bernadette Galas, Merben Roque, Rogelio Enriquez Jr., Jerish John Velarde, Richard Natividad and Jave Mareck Peteros.
FIDE Arbiter Dr. Fred Paez of Cabuyao City arranged above venue for Laguna. Players are Ellan Asuela, Christian Mark, Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo, Jeremy Marticio and Vince Angelo Medina.
Congressman Elpidio Barzaga, Jr., an avid chess player and patron, sponsored the Dasmarinas, Cavite venue for his players GM Darwin Laylo, IM Daniel Quizon, IM Michael Concio Jr. and WIM Kylen Joy Mordido. Keeping an eye over them is Local Chief Arbiter FA Ricky Navalta.
Local Chief Arbiter FA Hubert Estrella stands over Pasig, Metro Manila players Michael Gotel and Narciso Gumila.
For Mindanao, IA James Infiesto (standing center) is the Local Chief Arbiter in Davao City. Davao players are IM John Marvin Miciano, FM Austin Jacob Literatus, Christian Gian Karlo Arca, Henry Roger Lopez, Gabriel Umayan, Samantha Umayan and Allan Diez