News – Page 2 – Asian Chess

Asian Youth Chess Championships 2025 (Update after round 7)

With only two rounds remaining in the Standard event, the battle for medals has reached a thrilling crescendo at the Asian Youth Chess Championships 2025. Tension fills the tournament hall as every move now carries championship weight, with razor-thin margins separating leaders and challengers across all age groups. From the youngest prodigies to seasoned youth campaigners, the race for glory is tighter than ever.

Under 18

Vietnam’s IM Banh Gia Huy continues to set the pace with an impressive 6/7, showing remarkable consistency at the top. Hot on his heels are Ismagilov Igor (FID) and top seed IM Sriram Adarsh Uppala (IND), both locked in at 5.5 points and ready to pounce. Rounding out the frontrunners is IM Arca Christian Gian Karlo (PHI) at 5 points, tied with two others in this fiercely competitive field.

Under 16

FM Scheglov Gleb (FID) has seized the initiative with 6.5 points, but the pressure is on as top seed IM Vaz Ethan (IND) trails by just half a point at 6. Adding spice to the race is a tight chasing pack of six players tied at 5 points, keeping the podium wide open.

Under 14

India’s FM Reyan Md. stands alone at the top with 6 points, but danger lurks just behind. Four ambitious challengers — Ahmadi Barad (IRI), Shen Fuyan (CHN), CM Nguyen Nam Kiet (VIE), and CM Sherla Pratamesh — all sit menacingly at 5.5 points, setting up an electrifying finish.

Under 12

Top seed CM Madhvendra Pratap Sharma (IND) continues his steady march with 6/7, but the margin is minimal. A crowded group of five players on 5.5 points remains well within striking distance, ensuring high drama in the final rounds.

Under 10

A three-way deadlock tops the standings with CM Nguyen Xuan Phuong (VIE), CM Ulan Rizat (KAZ), and Sattwik Swain (IND) all sharing the lead at 6 points. With no clear favorite yet, this section promises a nail-biting finish.

Under 8

Top seed Mahboobi Kiasha (IRI) shares first place with Tamizh Amudhan (IND), while three more players at 5.5 points are waiting just a slip away. This youngest battlefield remains delightfully unpredictable.

Girls Under 18

India’s WCM Shanmathi Sree holds a slender lead at 5.5 points, but a formidable pack of five players at 5 points keeps the pressure intense as the title race tightens.

Girls Under 16

A thrilling three-way tie headlines this section as WFM Vlasova Mariya (FID), WFM Emujin Enkh-Amgalan (MGL), and top seed FM Prishita Gupta (IND) all share the lead at 5.5/7. Every result from here on could be decisive.

Girls Under 14

In commanding form, WCM Wu Shuang (CHN) has surged ahead with 6.5 points, opening a full-point gap over WFM Smirnova Polina (FID) and WFM Kholyavko Mariya (KAZ), who are tied at 5.5.

Girls Under 12

Perfection so far for WFM Yunker Alisa Genrietta (FID), who remains flawless with a perfect 7/7. Top seed WCM Pratitee Bordoloi (IND) follows at 6 points, still hoping for a late twist.

Girls Under 10

Filippova Milana (KAZ) leads the charge with 6.5 points, closely pursued by Hasanpor Moghadam Asma (IRI) at 6. Top seed WCM Divi Bjesh (IND) and Vanshika Rawat (IND) remain in strong contention at 5.5 points.

Girls Under 8

India’s Aaranya R tops the standings with 6 points, while Zhang Yunyi (SGP) and Zhu Jiahe (CHN) stay within striking distance on 5.5. As Round 8 approaches, every board is set for fireworks.

With titles, medals, and national pride on the line, the final two rounds promise nothing short of high-stakes drama and unforgettable chess battles in the heart of Bangkok.

Sawadee Krap!

xs’: special thanks to AGM Mohamad Sacar for letting me use his laptop for this piece

NM Winston Joseph Silva

Asian Mind Sports Conference & Festival Held in Singapore

Singapore, November 15, 2025: Singapore hosted the inaugural Asian Mind Sports Conference & Festival at the Suntec Convention Centre.

Over 350 athletes from 17 countries participated in the high-level competition and international collaboration which began on Thursday, November 13 and ended on Saturday, November 15.

The event was organised by the Asian Mind Sports Association (AMSA) in partnership with Singapore Chess Federation, Singapore Contract Bridge Association, Singapore Xiangqi General Association, and Singapore Weiqi Association.

The festival marked a significant milestone in raising the profile of mind sports across Asia, and was set against the backdrop of Singapore’s proposed legislation to formally recognise mind sports and Esports as official sports.

Competitions featured chess, Contract Bridge, Weiqi (Go), and Xiangqi (Chinese chess), along with a dedicated Speedcubing segment – all aimed at showcasing intellectual depth, precision, and cross-cultural energy that defines mind sports.

A headline conference ‘Mind Sports Matters 2025: The Games of Minds, The Future of Sports’ involving a number of international corporations was also part of the festival.

Team Awards 27th Asian Youth Rapid Chess Championship

To encourage team work among players from each country, team medals will be awarded per category based on the total score of the top three players of a federation. Federations with fewer than three players will not be eligible for a team award. In case of any tie, the tie-break scores of each player shall be considered.

India and Vietnam Top Asian Youth Rapid Chess Championship

India topped the Asian Youth Rapid Chess Championship with three gold, one silver and five bronze medals followed by Vietnam with two gold, four silver and two bronze medals. China and Russia shared third slot each with one gold, two silver and one bronze medal.

The tournament is hosted by the Thailand Chess Association under the auspices of FIDE and the Asian Chess Federation at the Bazaar Hotel in Bangkok. A record of 683 players from 33 countries are participating in the tournament. The Standard event starts 22nd November and blitz on 29th November.

Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings. See Photo gallery in facebook.

Team Tira Tira Sampaloc Tres is SJDM 3×3 Rapid Chess Champion

Team Tira Tira Sampaloc Tres won the SJDM (San Jose Del Monte) Woodpusher Society 3X3 Rapid Chess Tournament on November 16, 2025 at Robinson’s Galleria Ortigas in San Juan, Philippines.

Djon Carlos Francis Cortes, with a perfect score of seven wins, spearheaded the team’s title campaign. The other members of the team were National Master (NM) Karlycris Clarito Jr., and Gabriel Ryan Paradero.

The senior trio of Esmael Abas, National Master (NM) Romeo Alcodia, and Anthony Avellaneda clinched second place.

Team Tira Tira Sampaloc Tres and Team Senior tallied identical 12 match points. However, after the tie break was applied, the Team Tira Tira Sampaloc Tres took the title, championship trophy plus P35,000 cash prizes while the Team Senior landed at second place to receive P25,000 plus runner-up place trophy.

Bulacan Friends, Boss Larry A, Chessmates 1 and Boss Larry B wound up in a tie for third to sixth places with 11 match points each in this 1-day rapid chess team tournament jointly organized by Michael Linde, Isaac Atayde, and Ricky Echala.

Rounding out the top 12 who got 10 match points each were

Hi Po (seventh), Mt Monterrazas (eight), APEX Chess Kuala Lumpur (ninth), Team Tira Tira Sampaloc Uno (tenth), Maroon Chessterz (eleventh) and Katas ng Qatar (12th).-Marlon Bernardino

III Internacional de Ajedrez Cap Negret Chess Championship 50 and above

By Marlon Bernardino

Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. of the Philippines bagged the runner-up honors at the III Internacional de Ajedrez Cap Negret Chess Championship 50 and above category on Sunday at the Hotel Cap Negret in Altea, Alicante, Spain.

Antonio earned 7.0 points on five wins and four draws. Grandmaster Keith Arkell of England pocketed the crown in the FIDE Standard competition with 8.5 points on eight wins and one draw.

Rogerio Sperb Becker of Brazil , Javier Unciti Juan of Spain, Bo-Erik Helen of Finland and Candidate Master Martin Daneri of Argentina settled for third to sixth places with 6.0 points apiece.

Rounding at the top 11 who got 5.5 points each were Paulo Santanna of Brazil (seventh), FIDE Master Joseph Ryan of Ireland (eight), International Master Angus J Dunnington of Scotland (ninth), Pedro Maria Pons of Spain (tenth) and Krishnan Sudharsan of Denmark (eleventh).

Antonio’s participation was supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), Games and Amusement Board (GAB) Chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), chaired by Alejandro “Al” Tengco; PEZA Director General Tereso Panga, Hotel Sogo, Sportsman Christopher “Dong” Cheng, Composite Technology Inc. President and General Manager Ricardo Padrinao, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte , Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita ‘Menchie’ Aguilar- Abalos and Congresswoman Alexandria “Queenie” Pahati-Gonzales.

“ I dedicate this victory to all those who get up everyday to fight against the hardships of life, to be better than the day before. To my family , my friends, my relatives, my fans, my country and To God,” the 63-year-old Antonio said, who finished first in the blitz competition of the 33rd FIDE World Senior Blitz Chess Championship held in Gallipoli, Italy last week.-Marlon Bernardino-

Asians Top FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship in Serbia

The FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship 2025 concluded yesterday in Vrnjačka Banja, the Serbian capital of tourism. The event attracted 284 players from 51 national federations, culminating in the crowning of winners across all six sections.

The best female chess players in the U1700 event are Mouza Nasser Alshamsi, (UAE) scoring 7/9 followed by Ayala Kuanyshbay (Kazakhstan) and Disha U A from India.

The open section U1700 saw the triumph of Medet Dyahaparov (Kyrgyzstan) who claimed gold with an excellent score of 8/9. Pathak Anshu Kr (India) and Dulguunjargal Dashdavaa (Mongolia) tied for second place on 7.5/9, with the former clinching silver on tiebreaks.

The top female finishers in the U2000 tournament are Khuslenzaya Baldanjantsan from Mongolia (8/9), Wang Minging of Germany (7/9), and Karina Daniela Ferreira Kanzler from Brazil (5.5/9).

In the open section U2000, the first place was won by Dejan Jakovljević from Serbia with 8/9. Vo Hoang Quan from Vietnam (7.5/9) took silver, while Arlan Abuzyarov from Kazakhstan completed the podium with 7/9.

Tsogtsaikhan Saikhanchimeg from Mongolia (5.5 points), Anna Ivaschenko (4.5 points) and Nadezhda Antonova from Tajikistan (4 points) became the best female chess players in the U2300 competition.

The most tightly contested tournament was the U2300 Open section, which ended in a three-way tie for first. Ivan Kudrin (FIDE), Sergei Krivenko, and Sergei Pogorelskikh (both Serbia) all scored 7/9, with Kudrin claiming gold, Krivenko silver, and Pogorelskikh bronze based on tiebreak scores.

The closing ceremony featured a performance by a local chorus and the presentation of trophies and diplomas. It was attended by Saša Jevtić, Tournament Director; Ozgur Solakoglu, a representative of the International Chess Federation (FIDE); Andrija Jorgić, President of the Chess Federation of Serbia; and Boban Đurović, President of the Vrnjačka Banja municipality, who officially declared the competition closed.

In his address, Solakoglu thanked the organizers for the exceptional level of organization and announced that Vrnjačka Banja will host two more FIDE championships in 2026.

“Over these nine days, we witnessed extraordinary glory in honor of chess. From the first move to the last round, players from around the world showed not only skill and determination, but also the true spirit of amateur competition — where passion and respect for the game shines above all else. Congratulations to our winners. Thank you to every participant. You have made this championship lively, competitive and memorable. Whether you won or learned something new, you contributed something truly special. To our hosts — the Chess Federation of Serbia, the city and people of Vrnjačka Banja, arbiters, volunteers and staff — you created an atmosphere in which chess could flourish and friendships could be established,” said Solakoglu.

Andrija Jorgić, President of the Chess Federation of Serbia, expressed his pride in hosting the event. “Do not forget that chess is a knight’s game,” he said, “and that the one sitting across from you is not an enemy, but an opponent at the chessboard.”

Photos: Savo Tufegszic

Official website: worldamateur2025.fide.com

Winners crowned at FIDE World Amateur Championship 2025 – International Chess Federation

San Jose Del Monte Woodpusher Society 3×3 Chess Team Tournament

SJDM Woodpusher Society chess team up at Robinsons Galleria Mall

By Marlon Bernardino

The San Jose Del Monte (SJDM) Woodpusher Society 3×3 Chess Team Tournament gets going at 10.00 a.m. on Nov. 16, 2025 with a big field expected to participate at Robinsons Galleria Mall, Ortigas Avenue, corner Edsa, Quezon City.

The one-day, seven-round Swiss system team tournament is open to all players with local rapid rating of 1975 and below as of October 2025.

The rate of play is15 minutes plus 3 seconds increment jointly organized by Michael Linde, Isaac Atayde and Ricky Echala.

The tournament offers a total pot of P147,000 with the winner getting P35,000 plus trophy.

Entry fee for early entries is P3,500. Payment can be made at Gcash number 09998084739 under the account name Michael Linde. A charge of P500 will be added for those who will register on the tournament day.-Marlon Bernardino-

FIDE International Organizers’ Seminar Starts 15 November

The FIDE International Organizers Seminar starts 15 November 2025 by Zoom. It is intended to educate organizers on how to handle an International Events and the regulations necessary for the event to be FIDE certified. Applicants for the FIDE Associate Organizer and International Organizer titles are required to attend a seminar and pass an examination in order to obtain their FIDE IO title. Certificates of Completion will be awarded to successful participants.

The seminar is organized by the Asian Chess Federation under the auspices of the FIDE Events Commission and supported by the FIDE Planning and Development Commission.

Schedule is

Saturday, 15 Nov. 2025 10:00-14:00 Dubai time (+4GMT)
Sunday, 16 Nov. 2025 10:00-14:00 Dubai time (+4GMT)
Monday, 17 Nov. 2025 10:00-14:00 Dubai time (+4GMT)
Tuesday, 18 Nov. 2025 10:00-14:00 Dubai time (+4GMT)

Lecturers are

IO Ozgur Solakoglu, Honorary Chairman of the FIDE Events Commission,

IO Casto Abundo, Executive Director of the Asian Chess Federation (ACF),

IO Abdulrahim Mahdi, Chairman of the ACF Arbiters Commission and

IO Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh, Counsellor of the FIDE Technical Commission.

Interested parties may inquire with casto.abundo@gmail.com

1st Tigerhead Rapid Open Chess Tournament Held in Laos

The 1st Tigerhead Rapid Open Chess Tournament made history on November 9, 2025, as 129 players competed in what became the largest local chess event ever held in Laos. Organized and sponsored by Tigerhead, in cooperation with the Laos Chess Federation, the event marked a significant milestone in the nation’s chess development — truly a historic day for Lao chess.

In above photo Mr. Vilavane Inthava, President of the Laos Chess Federation and Tournament Director, together with Mr. Robert Suelo Jr., Chief Arbiter and Event Manager, open the 1st Tigerhead Rapid Open Chess Tournament

Held at the National Olympic Committee of Laos, the tournament featured Rapid games with a time control of 10 minutes per player, testing each competitor’s speed, precision, and strategic thinking. The event brought together young talents, experienced players, and enthusiasts from across the country, reflecting the growing enthusiasm and rising standard of chess in Laos.

After seven thrilling rounds of rapid play, Vilaphen Bounled (photo above) and Yomvilath Souminta both scored 6½ points, but Vilaphen claimed the Champion’s title on superior tiebreak. He earned ₭1,000,000 and a trophy, while Yomvilath (photo below) secured 1st Runner-up with ₭700,000 and a trophy.

Following them were:

• Vilaphen Phakthong – 2nd Runner-up, ₭500,000 + Trophy

• Phongphachit Sommith – 3rd Runner-up, ₭300,000 + Trophy

• Parkin Dylan Alastair – 4th Runner-up, ₭200,000 + Trophy

Special category awards were also presented:

• Best Lady: Ryzia Lei Zheysha Suelo (photo below) – ₭200,000 + Trophy

• Best >50: Fourile Violaine – ₭200,000 + Trophy

Age-group champions were recognized with trophies for their outstanding performances:

• Best U16: Kongeo Phithak and Manalo Sean Michael

• Best U14: Inthavong Bounthanh and Manichith Namphét

• Best U12: Phanouvong Marvin and Liemphrachanh Akkhravin

• Best U10: Maglacion Psalm Emmanuel Paul and Yaotita Yoshito

• Best U8: Sengphachan Bounthingtham Jayson and Chong Jun Yin Hector

The tournament atmosphere was filled with excitement, camaraderie, and sportsmanship — a strong testament to the fast-growing chess movement in Laos. This event not only celebrated competitive excellence but also served as a platform to inspire the younger generation of Lao chess players.

The organizers expressed heartfelt thanks to Tigerhead, the main driving force behind the event, for its generous support, and to the Laos Chess Federation for its continued efforts to promote chess nationwide.

The Tournament Director was Mr. Vilavane Inthava, President of the Laos Chess Federation assisted by Chief Arbiter & Event Manager Mr. Robert Suelo Jr.-Marlon Bernardino-