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To Presidents and Secretaries of Zone 3.6 Federation Members, and new members

Dear members of the chess fraternity,

I am very happy to announce that GM Kevin Goh Wei Ming will be coming on board full time as the new SCF CEO from 25th November. He will step down as Vice-President of the SCF when he assumes this role.

Kevin is a chartered accountant by profession, and was the CFO of Lucence Group – a precision medicine company specialising in liquid biopsy technology for cancer patients – in his previous employment. During his stint with Lucence, he oversaw several fundraising rounds and the expansion of the company to four different cities.

Kevin is no stranger to the local and international chess community. He is Singapore’s second homegrown Grandmaster, and is also a seven-time National Champion. He has represented Singapore in 8 Chess Olympiads and 3 South-East Asian Games, where he won a total of three bronze medals. He has also authored a popular chess book (The Sicilian Najdorf 6 Bg5. Chess Developments. Everyman Chess. ISBN 978-1781940211) that was widely rated highly by chess players globally.

Besides being a strong chess athlete, Kevin has served actively in the chess community for almost two decades. He has coached numerous individuals and teams in Singapore and the region towards achieving chess excellence, generously sharing his extensive opening preparation and experience. He has also organised events to promote the popularity of the game, including the Chess against Covid charity initiative in 2020 that raised over SGD160,000 for Lakeside Family Services’ Caring Amidst Covid-19 Fund.

Due to his achievements and contributions to chess, Kevin has won several accolades which are unprecedented for a chess athlete. For instance, he had won the NTU Sportsman of the Year award in 2005 and was included in Tatler Asia’s prestigious Gen-T list of leaders of tomorrow in 2020.

During his brief tenure as VP of the SCF, he led the organization of the very successful Singapore Chess Festival in 2022, established the Singapore Chess Magazine, brought in GM Thomas Luther as the SCF’s Training Director and revamped our dated training program for our top players, setting up the National Squads in the process. He was also instrumental in raising the funds that made the above possible.

Kevin has many more ideas to increase the popularity of chess here in Singapore, and to link us more closely to the regional and international chess community. I have every confidence that with Kevin at the helm and with all your support, we will have a vibrant, growing local community with more and better events. We can also look forward to greater international success for our players, and for Singapore to feature more prominently on the global chess scene.

Dr Hsu Li Yang
President

Bangabandhu Premier Division Chess League-2022 and Sheikh Kamal First Division Chess League-2022

Bangabandhu Premier Division Chess League-2022 sponsored by Saif Powertech Limited began Wednesday 30th November at the Crown Hall, Asia Hotel & Resort, Label-11, Topkhana Road. Visit chess-results.com

Eleven teams are participating in this year’s Bangabandhu Premier Division Chess League-2022. Three consecutive times Premier Division Chess League champion Bangladesh Police got off to a good start by defeating Leonine Chess Club by 4-0 game points. GM Ziaur Rahman, Indian GM Sandipan Chanda, GM Harsha Bharathakoti and FM Mehdi Hasan Parag on behalf of Bangladesh Police team won against Ahmed Hossain Majumdar, FM Mohammed Abdul Malek, Indian IM Muthaiah Al and WFM Tanima Parveen of Lionine Chess Club respectively.

Palli Sanchay Bank got off to a good start by defeating Sultana Kamal Smriti Pathagar by 4-0 game points. GM Niaz Murshed, Shafiq Ahmed, Russian GM Rakhmanov Aleksandr and FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia of Palli Sanchay Bank defeated Md. Mesbah Uddin, Habibur Rahman Sohel, Abdul Momin and Warsia Khusbu of Sultana Kamal Smriti Pathagar respectively.

Last year’s runners-up Saif Sporting Club had a break in this round.

The Sheikh Kamal 1^st Division Chess League-2022 started at the same time at Bangladesh Chess Federation Hall-Room. Bangabandhu Premier Division Chess League-2022 and Sheikh Kamal First Division Chess League-2022 are being held in round robin league format.

FM Arash Daghli of Iran won the FISU World University Chess Championship 2022 for men held 12-17 September 2022 in Antwerp Belgium. Daghli won undefeated with 7.5 points in the 9 round Swiss with time control of 90 minutes for the entire game plus a 30-second increment starting on move one. Chess-results. Thirty six players from 15 countries joined the event (see table below).

The 2022 FISU World University Championship Mind Sports has come to an end and its champions are known.

In the men’s category Arash Daghli from Iran managed to keep his half-point lead over the other players, although he certainly had to fight for it. His fellow Iranian and opponent Mahdi Gholami Orimi could still win the title if he beat Arash, followed by an interesting and sharp game that saw Mahdi attacking from the beginning. However, after Dimitris Alexakis lost on board 2, Arash was certain that a draw would be sufficient to get the world title and he could play safely against his teammate. In the end Mahdi didn’t manage to force a win and Arash secured the world title with a draw against his opponent.

Where Arash was the clear favorite to win the men’s title, it was anyone’s guess who would grasp the women’s title. No less than eleven players still had a chance to end up with a (tied) first place. It is no wonder then that all of the top boards saw great attacking play from both sides. After a couple of hours, it seemed like Fiona Sieber and Katarzyna Dwilewicz had the best chances of ending up on top. When Fiona won her game, it was up to Katarzyna to tie for the first place with her. However, Katarzyna’s opponent Anastasia Avramidou proved her worth and managed to neutralize Katarzyna’s advantage. A draw was agreed, leaving one player ahead of the pack. As a result, Fiona Sieber goes home with the women’s World University Champion title.

The winners of standard chess and blitz chess competition were awarded at the Official Awarding Ceremony.

Women’s Standard Chess Champions:

1. Fiona Sieber – Germany – 6.5
2. Anastasia Avramidou – Greece – 6
3. Anna Kubicka – Poland – 6

Men’s Standard Chess Champions:

1. Arash Daghli – Islamic Republic of Iran – 7
2. Igor Janik – Poland – 6.5
3. Tin Jingyao – Singapore – 6.5

TEAM Classical Chess Podium:
(including 3 best players)

1. ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN – Arash Dashli – Mobina Alinasab – Mahdi Gholami Orimi –  19.0
   (Zhina Paktinat – Tannaz Azali )
2. POLAND – Igor Janik – Anna Kubicka – Katarzyna Dwilewicz – 18.5
   (Marcin Molenda, Patryk Chylewski, Alicia Sliwicka , Julia Antolak – Honorata Kucharska)
3. GERMANY – Tristan Niermann – Fiona Sieber – Steffi Arnold – 17
   (Simon Leeb, Olga Weis)

Women’s Blitz Chess Champions:

1. Alicja Sliwicka – Poland – 6.5
2. Honorata Kucharska – Poland – 6
3. Mobina Alinasab – Islamic Republic of Iran – 6

Men’s Blitz Chess Champions:

1. Tin Jingyao – Singapore – 7.5
2. Igor Janik – Poland – 7.5
3. Arash Daghli – Islamic Republic of Iran – 7

TEAM Blitz Chess Podium:

(including 3 best players)

1. POLAND – Igor Janik – Alicia Sliwicka – Honorata Kucharska – 20.0
   (Marcin Molenda, Patryk Chylewski, Anna Kubicka, Katarzyna Dwilewicz, Julia Antolak)
2. ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN – Arash Dashli – Mobina Alinasab – Mahdi Gholami Orimi –  18.5
   (Zhina Paktinat – Tannaz Azali )
3. FRANCE – Yovann Gatineau – Elise Tomasi – Floryan Eugene – 15.0
   (Sarah Djidjeli)

During this tournament, no less than 5 players have achieved a norm needed to obtain a higher FIDE title.

The following two men achieved a norm to obtain the title of FIDE International Master:

• Arash Daghli – Islamic Republic of Iran
• Marcin Molenda – Poland

The following three women achieved a norm to obtain the title of FIDE Women International Master

• Anastasia Avramidou – Greece
• Honorata Kucharska – Poland
• Katarzyna Dwilewicz – Poland

WFM Noshin Anjum of Bangladesh Navy became unbeaten champion in the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib 41^st National Women’s Chess Championship-2022. The event was sponsored by Abul Khair Group and organised by Bangladesh Chess Federation at the Chess Federation Hall-Room, 2^nd floor of the old building of National Sports Council.

WFM Noshin earned 8½ points to clinch the national woman chess title. WIM Rani Hamid of Bangladesh Ansar became runner-up with 7½ points. Kazi Zarin Tasnim of Bangladesh Navy & Nusrat Jahan Alo of Bangladesh Police earned 7 points each and tying for 3^rd & 4^th places. They will play-off in a match. WFM Nazrana Khan Eva of Manikganj became 5^th with 6 points. WCM Ahmed Walijah & Wadifa Ahmed of Bangladesh Navy and WArsia Khusbu of Dhaka city earned 5½ points each. They will have play-off matches for 5^th, 6^th & 7^th position.

Last year’s woman champion WCM Jannatul Ferdous of Bangladesh Police and Tasnia Tarannum Orpa of Dhaka City earned 4½ points each, they will play play-off matches for the 9^th and 10^th position. Umme Taslima Protiva Takulder of Bogura became 11^th with 2½ points and Sabiha Marjana of Rajshahi Division became 12^th with 2 points. 11^th or last round games were held on today (Monday). In the last round game: WFM Noshin drew with Alo, WIM Rani Hamid drew with Wadifa, Zarin beat Khusbu, WCM Jannat beat Protiva. The event was held in round-robin league system and total 12 players participated. The play-off matches will start tomorrow (Tuesday) from 3:00 PM at same venue.

Roll of Honor: 1979- WIM Rani Hamid, 1980- WIM Rani Hamid, 1981- WIM Rani Hamid,1982- WIM Rani Hamid,1983- WIM Rani Hamid,1984- WIM Rani Hamid,1985- Yesmin Begum, 1986- Yesmin Begum, 1987- Not held, 1988- WIM Rani Hamid, 1989- WFM Syeda Shabana Parveen, 1990- WIM Rani Hamid, 1991- WFM Tanima Parveen, 1992- WIM Rani Hamid, 1993- WFM Zakia Sultana, 1994- WFM Tanima Parveen, 1995- WFM Syeda Shabana Parveen, 1996- WIM Rani Hamid, 1997- WFM Syeda Shabana Parveen, 1998- Woman nternational Master Rani Hamid, 1999- WIM Rani Hamid, 2000- WFM Nazrana Khan Eva, 2001- WIM Rani Hamid, 2002- WFM Syeda Shabana Parveen, 2003- WFM Syeda Shabana Parveen, 2004- WIM Rani Hamid, 2005- WIM Shamima Akter Liza, 2006- WIM Rani Hamid, 2007- WIM Rani Hamid, 2008- Women International Master Rani Hamid, 2009- WFM Sharmin Sultana Shirin, 2010- WIM Shamima Akter Liza, 2011- WIM Rani Hamid, 2012- Woman FIDE Sharmin Sultana Shirin, 2013- Not Held, 2014- WIM Shamima Akter Liza, 2015- WIM Shamima Akter Liza, 2016-WFM Nazrana Khan Eva. 2017- Woman FIDE Sharmin Sultana Shirin, 2018-WIM Rani Hamid, 2019-WIM Rani Hamid, 2020-Not Held, 2021-WCM Jannatul Ferdous, 2022-WFM Noshin Anjum.

AICF bags Best National Sports Federation of the year award at TURF 2022 & India Sports Awards of FICCI; R B Ramesh adjudged Best Coach

New Delhi (27 Nov 2022):- All India Chess Federation bagged the Award for the Best National Sports Federation of the year at the TURF 2022 & India Sports Awards by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Saturday. Grandmaster R B Ramesh bagged the Best Coach award.

On behalf of AICF, Dr Vipnesh Bhardwaj, Secretary and Shri Naresh Sharma, Treasurer received the award in a colourful function at the FICCI House Delhi.

In other categories, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar who support chess in a big way becomes the Best Educational Institute Promoting Sports while Deputy Editor of the Hindu, Shri Rakesh Rao adjudged as the Sports Journalist of the Year in print medium.

WFM Noshin Anjum of Bangladesh Navy grabbed solo lead in the points table with 7 points after 9^th round games of the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib 41^st National Women’s Chess Championship-2022. The event is sponsored by Abul Khair Group and organised by Bangladesh Chess Federation at the Chess Federation Hall-Room, 2^nd floor of the old building of National Sports Council.

In photo above, 78 year old WIM Rani Hamid (left) was held to a draw by 10 year old Warsia Khusbu (right)

WIM Rani Hamid of Bangladesh Ansar is in 2^nd position with 6½ points. WFM Nazrana Khan Eva of Manikganj & Nusrat Jahan Alo of Bangladesh Police are jointly in 3^rd position with 5½ points each. Kazi Zarin Tasnim & Wadifa Ahmed of Bangladesh Navy jointly in 4^th position with 5 points.

9^th round games were held on today (Saturday). In 9^th round game: WFM Noshin beat Wadifa. WFM Noshin played with white pieces in the Spanish Variation of Four Knights Game and won against Wadifa at 51^st moves. WIM Rani Hamid drew with Khusbu. WIM Rani Hamid played with white pieces Sicilian defense of Khusbu, the game ended draw after 63 moves. WFM Eva drew with Alo. WFM Eva played with black pieces against the Accelerated London system of Queen’s Pawn Opening of Alo and the game ended draw at 59^th moves. Zarin drew with her teammate WCM Ahmed Walijah. Zarin played with black pieces against Ruy-Lopez opening of WCM Walijah and continued to Morphy Defense and draw at 48^th moves. Reigning woman champion WCM Jannatul Ferdous won against Sabiha Marjana of Rajshahi Division. WCM Jannat played with white pieces against Parc Defense of Sabiha and won after 34 moves. Umme Taslima Protiva Talukder of Bogura beat Tasnia Tarannum Orpa. Protiva played with black pieces against Indian game of Orpa and won 65 moves.

The 10^th or penultimate round games will start Sunday 27th Nov. from 3:15 PM at the same venue. 10^th round games are: WFM Eva Vs. Zarin, Khusbu Vs. WCM Walijah, Sabiha Vs. WIM Rani Hamid, Wadifa Vs. WCM Jannat, Protiva Vs. WFM Noshin & Alo Vs. Orpa.

IM Harshavardhan G.B. of India and WIM Bach Ngoc Thuy Duong of Vietnam won the Asian Juniors and Girls Chess Championships, respectively, 17-26 November 2022 at the Knights Templar hotel in Tagaytay City, Philippines. In photo, Asian Chess Federation Executive Director Casto Abundo (left) awards the champion’s trophy and medal to Harshavardhan and runner-up Michael Concio, Jr. of the Philippines. Not in photo is third placer IM Sugar Gan-Erdene of Mongolia who had to catch his flight (see below).

Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and to download all games. Replay games at Chess24 for the juniors and girls. See photos in Instagram

WIM Bach Ngoc Thuy Duong of Vietnam beat WFM Zahedifar Anahita of Iran in the final round to win the Asian Girls alone with 7.5 points out of 9 rounds.

Above, Asian Chess Federation Executive Director Casto Abundo awards trophy and medals to champion WIM Bach Ngoc Thuy Duong of Vietnam, runner-up WIM Ravi Rakshitta of India and third placer WIM Amira Kairbekova of Kazakhstan.

At the Knights Templar Hote, from left, Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham N. Tolentino, Asian Chess Federation Executive Director Casto Abundo and Executive Board Member Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh.

Arbiters in the Asian Juniors and Girls, seated from left (PHI unless otherwise indicated), Ellie Emira of Malaysia, Juniors Chief Arbiter Reden Cruz, Technical Delegate Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh of Iran, ACF Executive Director Casto Abundo, Tournament Director Michael Lapitan and Margie Narcilla. Standing from left, John Eric Abarro, Dr. Alfredo Paez, Rudy Ibanez, Ronnie Tabudlong, Michael Pagaran and Girls Chief Arbiter Patrick Lee.

IM G.B. Harshavardhan of India beat upcoming Eric Labog, Jr of the Philippines to stay a full point ahead of the second running players after the penultimate round of the Asian Juniors and Girls Chess Championships at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay City, Philippines. Harshavardhan faces IM Sugar Gan-Erdene of Mongolia in tomorrow’s 9th and final round.

Gar-Erdene and four other players follow with 5.5 points each, see table below. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and to download games. Watch live games at Chess24 for the juniors and girls.

Watch these crucial games in tomorrow’s 9th round

In the Girls division, WIM Bach Ngoc Thuy Duong of Vietnam and WIM Ravi Rakshitta of India beat their respective 8th round opponents to maintain their co-leadership with 6.5 points each of the Asian Girls Chess Championship.

WIM Mitra Asgharzadeh of Iran beat WIM Nazerke Nurgali of Kazakhstan to follow alone with 6 points. See table of top standings

Watch these crucial games in tomorrow’s final round.

IM G.B. Harshavardhan of India beat compatriot Utsab Chatterjee to grab solo lead with 5.5 points after seven rounds of the Asian Juniors Chess Championship at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay City, Philippines. Filipino Eric Labog, Jr. beat FM Orozbaev Eldiar of Kyrgyzstan to trail in close second together with IM Sugar Gan Erdene of Mongolia and FM Arman Hakemi of Iran.

Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and to download games. Watch live games at Chess24 for the juniors and girls.

In the Girls division, WIM Bach Ngoc Thuy Duong beat top seed WIM Assel Serikbay of Kazakhstan to share the lead with WIM Ravi Rakshita of India at 5.5 points each. Rakshita beat WFM Mitra Asklgharzadeh of Iran.