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Mongolian, Indian Top Asian Amateur Rapid Chess Championship in Hong Kong

Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher (fourth from left) and Hong Kong Chess Federation president K.K. Chan (center) at the opening ceremonies of the Asian Amateur Chess Championship in Hong Kong.

FM Khishsigbat Ulziikhishig of Mongolia and WFM Bristy, Mukherjee of India won the Rapid Open and Women’s sections, respectively.

A record 361 players from 25 countries are competing in the Asian Amateur Chess Championships organized by the Hong Kong Chess Federation under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation from 1 to 9 August 2025 in Hong Kong.

Ulziikhishig finished alone with 8.5 points followed by FM Roel Abelgas and FM Alekhine Nouri of the Philippines with 8 points each for second and third places, respectively, by tie break.

Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and final standings.

In the women’s division, WFM Mukherjee Bristy registered a perfect score of 9 points in as many rounds. WFM Allaney Jia Doroy of the Philippines follows in second place with 7.5 points. WFM Li Xinyu of China placed third with 7 points.

Chief Arbiter IA Husan Turdialiev of Uzbekistan (seated, center), Hong Kong Chess Federation president K.K. Chan (seated second from right) and Chinese Taipei Delegate Dina Chen (seated second from left) with Arbiters and officials managing this huge event.

Magnus Carlsen wins inaugural Chess Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Magnus Carlsen took home gold in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia after a dominant performance against Team Falcons’ Alireza Firouzja in Chess at Esports WC 25.

Magnus Carlsen added another trophy to his legendary résumé on August 1st, defeating Alireza Firouzja in the grand final of Chess at 2025 Esports World Cup. The Norwegian grandmaster crushed his opponent with an overall score of four wins, two draws, and a single loss.

In social media, Carlsen said “New ground conquered, it’s been an absolute thrill and joy from start to finish.”

The gap between the world’s No. 3 Blitz player, Alireza Firouzja (2856), and the world No. 1, Magnus Carlsen (2937), couldn’t have been more apparent after the action concluded in Riyadh.

 

A dominant opening

Carlsen looked sharp in the opening set, claiming a win and two draws to put the score at 3-1, securing a commanding lead. Having to reset going into the second set, Firouzja’s impressive retort saw Magnus blunder his rook after 50 moves, leading to Firouzja’s only win of the series.

Clearly unhappy, Carlsen shot back in the second game, punishing Firouzja with his calculating play. Firouzja looked pressed, burning through much more of his clock than Magnus. The difference between the two became even more obvious with each player’s heart rate displayed on screen. Carlsen remained calm and collected throughout the majority of the final.

A blunder by Firouzja in game three pushed the series to 2-1, with Magnus on match point. And just like that, it was over. A weak opening by Firouzja was punished by Carlsen, who ultimately defeated the French grandmaster in just two sets.

“I’ve got my bow and arrow ready”

Early in the event, Magnus had been supremely confident. Responding to a Team Falcons trash-talking tweet in an interview, he stated that the Falcons “better do well in other games because you’re not going to win chess.” Then, following his victory over Falcons’ Hikaru Nakamura in the semifinals, he doubled down.

“It pissed me off when they cheered when Hikaru was winning,” he said. “I’ve got my bow and arrow ready, I’ve shot one Falcon, I want to shoot one more tomorrow.”

With two Falcons skewered, Magnus takes home the win for Team Liquid, earning 1,000 Club Championship points and rocketing them into contention to win the Club Championship. The grandmaster also wins $250,000 – one of the largest competitive chess prizes in recent memory.

Firouzja’s second-place finish locks Team Falcons in second place on the Club Championship leaderboard, still lacking the first-place finish required to win the overall club trophy. He also pockets the $190,000 second-place prize.

Earlier in the day, Hikaru defeated Arjun Erigaisi in the third-place match, a best-of-six series. With his teammate Firouzja in the final, Nakamura’s points do not count toward Team Falcons’ total, but he will take home $145,000. Erigaisi claims $115,000 in prize money for fourth place, along with 300 Club Championship points for Gen.G.

From Chess at EWC 25 Champion: Carlsen Crushes Firouzja

Divya Deshmukh becomes third Women’s World Cup Champion, defeats Humpy Koneru

Divya Deshmukh, the 19-year-old International Master from Nagpur, Maharashtra, etched her name into chess history by defeating Grandmaster Humpy Koneru 1.5–0.5 in the tiebreaks to win the Women’s World Cup.

She now follows in the footsteps of GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (2021) and GM Aleksandra Goryachkina (2023) as the third-ever winner of this prestigious title.

In the two 15+10 rapid tiebreak games, Divya showed both resilience and composure. After missing a golden opportunity in the first game, which ended in a draw, she brought elite-level precision to the second. There, she equalised comfortably as Black, then seized control as Humpy slipped under time pressure—clinching the crown in emphatic fashion.

With this remarkable win, Divya Deshmukh is now not only the 2025 Women’s World Cup Champion, but also one of the most exciting young stars in the world of chess.

After the final game, an emotional Divya embraced her mother before giving a short interview: “It’s hard for me to speak now. Of course, this definitely means a lot, but there is a lot more to achieve, so I am hoping that this is just the start,” she said.

With this triumph, Divya not only secures the USD 50,000 first prize, but also automatically earns the Grandmaster (GM) title—the highest title in chess. In doing so, she becomes one of the very few players in history to achieve it by winning a major FIDE event rather than collecting the usual three GM norms and 2500 rating.

Reflecting on this, Divya shared:  “I still need time to process it. I think it was fate, me getting the Grandmaster title this way, because before this I didn’t even have one norm, and now I’m a Grandmaster.”

Divya also qualifies for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, alongside the second and third-place finishers— GM Humpy Koneru and former Women’s World Champion Tan Zhongyi.

From Divya Deshmukh becomes third Women’s World Cup Champion, defeats Humpy Koneru in tiebreak – International Chess Federation

Dhanushka Bandara and Esandi Newansa are Sri Lanka Champions

Dhanushka Bandara and Esandi Newansa became the National Chess Champions 2025 at the Sri Lanka National Men’s & Women’s Chess Championships 2025 concluded 28 July 2025 at the cinnamon Grand Hotel Colombo. The Event was organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka from 18th to 28th July 2025 with a prize fund of Rs. 1,500,000/=. Mr. AHMU Aruna Bandara (center), the Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affaires and Sports was the Chief Guest at the awards ceremony with Mr. Luxman Wijesuriya (left), the President of Chess Federation of Sri Lanka.

A total of 14 players in each section participated in this 13 round Round, Robin Chess event which is the strongest Chess event in the country. These 13 players were selected after conducting 3 events, 1st in District level Novices Chess Championship, then Provincial Level Major Division and final National level Premier Division event in 11 round Swiss System event.

Esandi won the Championship according to the tie breaker used.

Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings and to download games/

Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan Top Central Asian Youth

Uzbekistan children won six gold medals followed by Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan with two golds each in the Central Asia Youth Chess Championships held 20-29 July 2025 in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan. A total of 425 players from five countries participated, namely Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and host Kyrgyzstan.

         

WGM Enkhtuul Altan-Ulzii Awarded Honored Athlete of Mongolia

H.E Ukhnaa Khurelsukh (left), President of Mongolia, confers Honored Athlete of Mongolia Award to WGM Enkhtuul Altan-Ulzii, FIDE Delegate of the Mongolian Chess Federation and Member of the DIDE Global Strategy Commission.

Congratulations on Receiving the Title of Honored Athlete of Mongolia

As the 25th National Women’s Champion of Mongolia, a leader player at the 44th World Chess Olympiad, and 2010 World School Chess Champion, WGM Enkhtul Altan Uzlii has repeatedly raised Mongolia’s flag high on the international stage. She won the bronze medal at the 2011 World Youth U18 Championship and numerous other accolades.

Her work as Delegate of the Mongolian Chess Federation and active member of the FIDE Global Strategy Commission contributes to the growth and development of chess globally, especially within the Asian region.

 

China, Mongolia, Philippines Top Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship

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-

 

10th Search for the Next Chess Master 2025 in Dumaguete City, Philippines

The 10th Search for the Next Chess Master (SNCM) 2025 unfolded on July 26th and 27th. This landmark event, now in its 10th edition, saw the Dumaguete City Chess Club and The Knights of Valencia Chess Club unite to host a FIDE-rated spectacle, reaffirming their commitment to nurturing grassroots talent in Negros Oriental.

The Market Place & OSCA Bldg buzzed with strategic energy, hosting a dual competition, a first in the region, designed to challenge and inspire. The Exclusive Invitational Round Robin gathered seasoned champions and the region’s brightest junior prodigies. Among them, Markley Partosa (photo above) from Dauin once again proved his mettle, clinching his third SNCM championship. His consistent growth and commanding performance left no doubt that he is a force to be reckoned with, a true testament to the tournament’s aim of fostering excellence.

 

Simultaneously, the Open Standard Swiss Challenge became a crucible for rising stars. Seven intense rounds offered a prime opportunity for emerging talents to test their skills. It was here that Lennox Samson, a student-athlete from the University of Cebu, made his mark. As a guest player, Samson showcased a formidable competitive spirit, securing the top spot and signalling his intent to climb the ranks in the Central Visayas region.

Beyond the trophies and prize money, the SNCM 2025 was a celebration of chess development. The event saw numerous players achieve significant ELO boosts, with several even qualifying for international standard ratings on the upcoming August 1st FIDE list. This speaks volumes about the growing strength and depth of chess talent in Negros Oriental. The tournament also served as a valuable platform for FIDE Arbiter norms, with FA Arnel Sapuan serving as Chief Arbiter, and NA Ringo Villagonzalo and NA Ramon Bunda III receiving FA1 certificates. At the heart of this thriving development is FA Alvin Alcala, not only the insightful author of the original tournament report and a recipient of an FA title himself in the last FIDE Council Meeting, but also a driving force whose application for the FIDE Associate Organizer (FAO) title promises to further legitimize and elevate the conduct of FIDE-rated events in the region to the next level, collectively contributing to the professional development within the local chess community especially in Negros Oriental.

The resounding success of the 10th SNCM 2025 was a collective effort, powered by the unwavering support of dedicated sponsors and the tireless work of the organizing committees. As the final pieces were put away, the spirit of strategic brilliance lingered, leaving participants and spectators alike inspired. The future of chess in Negros Oriental shines brighter than ever, fueled by events like the SNCM that continue to unearth and celebrate the next generation of masters.