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The ultimate Round 9 of the Belaya Ladya and Chess Field tournaments took place on 10 June at the Barkhatnyye Sezony hotel at the Sirius Federal Territory of Krasnodar Krai.

Going into the final round, the students of the Kurchatov School of Moscow had already secured first place. They defeated the Saratov Oblast team in the final match with a score of 4-0. The natives of Moscow scored an impressive 33.5 out of 36 points! The lineup of winners is as follows: Matfey Yurasov, Roman Shogdzhiev (who has won all nine games), Arseny Kleschevnikov, and Diana Preobrazhenskaya. They are coached by Vyacheslav Borisov.

The Belaya Ladya winners will represent our country in the Friendship Match between Russian and Chinese schoolchildren. The match begins in exactly one month, July 11, in the city of Yekaterinburg.

The Yevgeny Primakov Gymnasium, located near Moscow, defeated Sverdlovsk Oblast 4-0. The gymnasium students scored 27.5 points, taking second place. The Sverdlovsk Oblast team took home the bronze medals with 23.5 points.

The best results among foreign teams are as follows:

1. Republic of Belarus
2. Republic of Armenia
3. Kyrgyz Republic

Schoolchildren from the Kyrgyz Republic received the second-place cup among Asian teams, which was established by Hisham Al Taher, the General Secretary of the Asian Chess Federation. The Kurchatov School in Moscow won the first-place cup.

Final standings

Schoolchildren from the Sverdlovsk Oblast won the Chess Field Tournament with 28.5 points out of 36. The Republic of Mari El team finished second with 25.5 points, being the only team to finish the tournament without losing a single match. The Republic of Bashkortostan team took third place with 23.5 points.

The Omsk Oblast team took fourth place and received the “Will to Win” prize, which is named after Yuri Ivanovich Lobanov. He was an international arbiter, an outstanding organiser, and a remarkable individual. His son Ivan presented the prize.

Final standings https://chess-results.com/tnr1182350.aspx?lan=11&art=0&rd=9

The Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, T-Bank, the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation, and Chess Federation of Russia are the Belaya Ladya’s organisers.

 The general partner of the CFR is PhosAgro. Aeroflot and the Sirius Federal Territory are the CFR’s partners.

 The Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation and the Chess Federation of Russia are the organisers of the Chess Field competition, which is held with support from the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation and the Timchenko Foundation.

Photo albums

Photo by Vladimir Barsky

EVERYTHING is set for the much awaited Jessie Villasin chess tournament dubbed as Tatang Pabibo chess festival to be held on June 28, 2025 at the City Mall in Koronadal City,  South Cotabato.
“Inviting all Chess Aficionados, especially the kids in SOX and Davao Region, come join the celebration,” said tournament director Joselito Dormitorio.
The competition is divided into two categories–the 1950 and below and the Kiddies Division for 13 years old and below. All participants will receive a free Chowking lunch.
The champion in the 1950 and below division will receive P5,000 , the second placer will have P3,500 while the third will receive P2,000.
Fourth to fifth will bring home P1,000 each while 6th to 10th placers will receive cash prizes worth P500 as well for the category winners of top lady, top junior, top senior, 60 over category, top golden age, 50 to 59 years old , top 1900 and below and top unrated.
The champion in the kiddies division 13 and under will receive P3,000, the second placer will have P2,000 while the third will receive P1,500.
Fourth to fifth will earn P1,000 and P700, respectively while sixth  to 10th placers will receive cash prizes worth P400 while the category winners for top girl, top 9 years old, top 8 years old and top 7 years old will pocket P300 each.
The 1st two events of the Jessie Villasin chess tournament dubbed as Tatang Pabibo chess festival were held at the Robinsons Galleria Mall, Edsa corner Ortigas avenue, Quezon City last May 11, 2025 and June 8, 2025.
For more details please contact tournament director Joselito Dormitorio at his mobile number: 09355149805 for complete details.-Marlon Bernardino-

Ulaanbaatar, June 13, 2025, Mongolia. At its plenary session on June 12, 2025, the State Great Khural (Parliament) of Mongolia discussed and approved the appointment of Zandanshatar Gombojav as the Prime Minister of Mongolia.

Zandanshatar Gombojav is President of the Mongolian Chess Federation and visited Asian Chess Federation President Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan last month in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. See letter of congratulations from Sheikh Sultan: Ltr of congratulations to PM Zandanshatar Gombojav

Zandanshatar Gombojav met last month with Asian Chess Federation president Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan in Al Ain, UAE.

Zandanshatar Gombojav, who has worked in the fields of academic research, economics, and foreign affairs, and at the state legislative and executive levels since 1992, is considered to be capable of ensuring public trust, political leadership, and policy stability.

Zandanshatar Gombojav as the Prime Minister of Mongolia receives the Seal of Mongolia.

A total of 68 members of the State Great Khural asked questions from the nominee and received answers and 28 members expressed their positions regarding the appointment. When a vote was held, 108 MPs out of the 117 members present at the plenary session, or 92.3 percent supported the appointment of Zandanshatar Gombojav as the Prime Minister of Mongolia.

Subsequently, the Resolution on the Appointment of the Prime Minister of Mongolia was approved. The 34th newly appointed Prime Minister of Mongolia Zandanshatar Gombojav addressed the State Great Khural.

Noting the urgent need to stabilize the economy, improve the income and livelihood of the people, and address pressing issues such as sudden energy failures, Prime Minister Zandanshatar stated the main goal of the new Government will be to overcome risks and challenges and enhance national resilience at all levels.

The newly appointed Prime Minister of Mongolia stated, “Human development will be the biggest mega project of our government. The new Government will work to be a Government that places the development of Mongolians at the core of its policies and the rights of its citizens at the center of its solutions. The Government will focus on the development of competent, productive, healthy, and globally competitive Mongolians, and will intensify comprehensive reforms in health, education, and social security. It will introduce a performance-based pay policy in every sector. The Government will reform the welfare system and pursue the principle that the best welfare is employment. The Government will intensify pension reform, reduce social insurance fund losses, and transfer the management to a fair, transparent, and professional asset management system.”

Zandanshatar Gombojav was born in 1970 in Baatsagaan soum, Bayankhongor aimag, and has a wife and four children. In 1987, he graduated from Secondary School No. 77 in Ulaanbaatar and studied at the Irkutsk Institute of National Economy in the Russian Federation from 1987 to 1992, earning a degree in finance and economics. He has a Master’s degree in Economics. He began his professional career as a lecturer at the University of Commerce and Industry. From 1995 to 1998, he served as an economist, department head, and division director at the Agricultural Bank. Between 1998 and 2000, he worked as the manager of the training center at the Bank of Mongolia and as the bank’s representative at the Agricultural Bank. From 2000 to 2003, he was the Deputy Director at Khan Bank, and worked as Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture from 2003 to 2004. From 2005 to 2010, he was a member, Vice President, and later President of the Board of the Socialist Democratic Youth Union under the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP). He served as a Member of Parliament from 2004 to 2012, as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2009 to 2012, and between 2012 and 2013, he was the Secretary General of the MPP. From 2013 to 2015, he conducted research at the Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law at Stanford University in the United States. He was re-elected to Parliament in 2016 and served until 2024. From 2017 to 2019, he was a Member of the Government and the Chief of Cabinet Secretariat of the Government of Mongolia. From 2019 to 2024, he served as Chairman of the State Great Khural. Since 2024, he has worked as the Chief of Staff of the Office of the President of Mongolia.

FM Konstantin Popov and WFM Galina Meekheva won the Western Asia Juniors and Girls Championships 4-12 June 2025 in Waskaduwa, Sri Lanka.

Participating were 112 players from 9 countries, namely Bangladesh, India, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Nepal, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, host Sri Lanka and Russians playing under neutral FIDE flag.

Popov finished alone at 7.5 points followed by Asman Bayantas of Kazakhstan and Amanmuhammet Hommadov of Turkmenistan with 7 points each for the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

In the girls division, Meekheva finished alone with a dominating 8.5 points followed by WFM Lala Shohradova of Turkmenistan with 7 points for silver medal and Devi Narahari Saranya of India with 6.5 points for bronze.

FM Akbarali Abdukhakimov of Uzbekistan won the blitz while Alisa Genrietta Yunker of Russia won girls’ blitz.

Bangladeshi Zia Tahsin Taiwar won boys rapid while Turkmen Layla Shohradova won the girls rapid.

Join the “Belt and Road” China International Chess Open scheduled August 12-18, 2025 at the Wanda Realm Hotel in Bengbu, Anhui, China.

Download China Bengbu Open 2025

(1) Players from all member federations of the International Chess Federation are eligible to register for the competition.
(2) Players participating in the competition must have FIDE ID.
(3) The rating for the month of the publication of the regulations shall prevail.

8. Competition Rule​​
   (1) The competition adopts the latest competition rules of the International Chess Federation.
   (2) The competition shall calculate FIDE ratings.
   (3) The competition is organized using a 9-round Swiss format. Each player is allotted 90 minutes of basic time, with an increment of 30 seconds per move.
   (4) The competition is divided into two groups:

Group A: FIDE rating of 1900 or above​​

Group B: FIDE rating of below 2000

9. Results and Awards​​
(1) The total prize money for the competition is 303,000 yuan (CNY, pre-tax)​​.

Mongolian Chess Federation President Gombojav Zandanshatar Meets Asian Chess Federation Leadership in UAE.

Asian Chess Federation president Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan (center) meeting with H.E. Gombojav Zandanshatar, president of Mongolian Chess Federation, in Al Ain, UAE together with, from left, ACF General Secretary Hisham Al Taher, Kazakhstan Chess Federation 1st Vice President GM Darmen Sadvakasov and MCF Delegate Enkhtuul Atan-Ulzii (right).

Asian Chess Federation president Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan (left) and H.E. Gombojav Zandanshatar, president of Mongolian Chess Federation meeting in Al Ain, UAE.

The President of the Mongolian Chess Federation, H.E. Mr. Gombojav Zandanshatar, paid an official visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he held a productive meeting with the President of the Asian Chess Federation, H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan. The high-level meeting reinforced the growing cooperation between Mongolia and the Asian Chess Federation, both in terms of strategic vision and regional leadership.

During the visit, it was confirmed that Mongolia will host two major continental chess events: the 2025 Asian Schools Chess Championships in October, and the prestigious 2026 Asian Continental Chess Championships in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. These events mark a significant milestone in the country’s long-standing commitment to youth development and excellence in chess.

President Zandanshatar’s visit highlighted not only Mongolia’s organizational readiness but also the broader role of chess as a bridge between diplomacy, education, and national development. Widely regarded as a statesman with deep roots in both governance and intellectual sport, Mr. Zandanshatar received warm acknowledgment and encouragement from His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan for his vision and efforts in using chess as a platform for unity, discipline, and cultural engagement.

The Asian Chess Federation expressed full support for Mongolia’s expanding role in the regional chess landscape and praised the Mongolian government’s growing attention to chess as a vehicle for international cooperation and youth empowerment. The discussions also touched on long-term strategic planning for chess in Asia, with Mongolia poised to become a key player in that trajectory.

In an era where the game of kings intersects with the art of leadership, this partnership between Mongolia and the ACF reflects a shared belief: chess is not merely a sport—it is a symbol of strategic thinking, national identity, and global cooperation.

As preparations are already underway for the upcoming events in Ulaanbaatar, the Asian Chess Federation looks forward to working closely with the Mongolian Chess Federation to deliver championships that reflect both organizational excellence and the unifying spirit of the game.

The Western Asia Juniors and Girls Chess Championships have started in Waskaduwa, Sri Lanka. Participating are 111 players from 9 countries, namely  Bangladesh, India, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Nepal, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, host Sri Lanka and Russians playing under neutral FIDE flag.

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

Sri Lanka Chess Federation president Luxman Wijesuriya making ceremonial opening moves.

The 2025 “the Belt and Road” China International Chess Open is scheduled August 19-25, 2025 in Aksu, Xinjiang, China. Venue is the Aksu Gymnasium, No. 2, Jiefang South Road, Aksu, Xinjiang.

Players from all member federations of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) are eligible to register for the competition. Players participating in the competition must have FIDE ID.

The competition is organized using a 9-round Swiss format. Each player is allotted 90 minutes of basic time, with an increment of 30 seconds per move.

The competition is divided into two groups:
Group A: FIDE rating of 1900 or above
Group B: FIDE rating of below 2000

The total prize money for the competition is 380,000 yuan (CNY,
pre-tax) .

Download China Aksu Open2025

Organizers:

Sport Bureau of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Sports Federation of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Administrative Office of Aksu Region
Co-organizers:
Social Sport and Competition Management Center of Xinjiang Uyghur
Autonomous Region
Chess Association of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
Culture, Sports, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau of Aksu
Region Aksu Municipal People’s Government