FIDE Master (FM) Ivan Travis Cu emerged as the champion in the Open Division of the Chess Mind Grandprix May Edition Tournament last Saturday, May 31, 2025 at the Robinsons Galleria, Quezon City, Philippines.

In photo, Chessmind Academy Administrator Maria Noemi Ballecer awards the top prize to FM Ivan Travis Cu assisted by Chessmind Academy Head Coach Joseph Ballecer.

FM Cu, incoming grade 11 of Xavier School in San Juan City, pocketed the P7,000 purse and the trophy for winning  the tournament which saw over 50 players participate.
He had a near-perfect campaign after tallying 6.5 points in the seven-round Swiss system competition.
FM Cu defeated Clarence Ong, Jarhed Reignfeild Diocares and National Master (NM) Arman Subaste in the first and third rounds, respectively.
He snapped his third-match winning streak when he had a draw against International Master (IM) Hamed Nouri in the fourth round.
However, FM Cu went on to win the last three rounds against Ritchie Jocson, Sherwin Tiu and Cyrus Luis Mahawan.
The 16-year-old soft-spoken FM Cu is playing under the guidance of Xavier School Coach IA Rolly Yutuc and International Master (IM) Jan Emmanuel Garcia.
FIDE Master (FM) Alekhine Nouri defeated his father IM Hamed Nouri in the last round to finish second overall with 6.0 points for P5,000 runner-up purse.
Tiu, IM Hamed and FIDE Master (FM) Adrian Ros Pacis finished the tournament with similar 5.5 points while Mahawan, Genesis Jahk Andres, Mark Anthony Danao,  Abraham Bayron and  Caleb Jan Piamonte have identical 5.0 points.
The Chess Mind Grandprix May Edition Tournament (rapid event) was organized by FIDE Master (FM) Dino Ballecer and officiated by NA Alexander Dinoy, NA Alfredo Chay and NA Christian Javier.-Marlon Bernardino-

The 190th Internet-based FIDE Arbiters’ Seminar is going to be organized from 16/06/2025 to 20/06/2025 by the Asian Chess Federation, under the auspices of FIDE.

The Lecturer will be IA/IO Abdulrahim, Mahdi (UAE), FIDE Lecturer.

The language of the Seminar will be Arabic.

The Seminar will give norms and titles of FIDE Arbiter, according to the Regulations for the titles of Arbiters.

♟🌟 Exciting Chess Tournament in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan! 🌟♟

Dear Coaches, Parents, and Chess Enthusiasts,

We warmly invite your talented players to the International Chess Tournament for Boys and Girls (Under 8, 10, 12) from June 15-19, 2025, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. 🇹🇲✨

🏅 Tournament Highlights:

Rapid and Blitz events under official FIDE rules.

Free full-board accommodation and local transportation!

Easy, quick visa processing, entirely sponsored by organizers.

Enjoy a special cultural treat: an unforgettable Turkmen horse show at the circus! 🐴🎪

Exciting city tours included.

🌐 Open to All Countries: Special terms, i.e. free full-board accommodation, are now available for participants from any country! Spots are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Despite the short notice, we ensure a smooth and fast visa approval process for all participants and accompanying officials. 📅✅

Let your players experience an unforgettable chess event combined with Turkmen hospitality!

Contact us at: tkmchess@gmail.com or call 📞 ‪+99361292843‬
https://tkmchess.com.tm/news/60

We look forward to welcoming you to Ashgabat! 🤝♟✨

Download Regulations – ASHGABAT 2025 (ENG)

Download Registration_Form_Ashgabat_2025 (FINAL)

Asian Chess Federation president Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan (right) and Mongolian Chess Federation president His Excellency Gombojav Zandanshatar (left) award medals to the top three placers, champion GM Bardiya Daneshvar of Iran, runner-up GM Nihal Sarin of India and third placer Shamsiddin Vokhidov of Uzbekistan. The national anthem of Iran was played as its flag rose in the background.

Asian Chess Federation president Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan (right) and Mongolian Chess Federation president His Excellency Gombojav Zandanshatar (left) award medals to the top three women, champion IM Song Yuxin of China, runner-up Bat-Erdene Mungunzul of Mongolia and third placer WGM Xeniya Balabayeva of Kazakhstan. The national anthem of China was played as its flag rose in the background.

Speech of ACF President Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan:

Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the closing ceremony of the Asian Individual Chess Championship for men and women, held here in Al Ain – the capital of Asian chess – from May 6 to May 15, 2025.

This edition brought together 600 players from 38 countries — a new record in both number of participants and countries represented.

We witnessed remarkable games and inspiring sportsmanship, a true reflection of the growing strength of Asian chess.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who contributed to the success of this prestigious event — organizing committees, technical teams, administrative staff, and volunteers.

Congratulations to all the winners and those who qualified for the FIDE World Cup. We wish you all the best as ambassadors of Asia on the world stage.

I am also pleased to extend special congratulations to the countries that claimed gold medals in this edition of the championship:
The Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Blitz Chess Championship,
and the Islamic Republic of Iran and the People’s Republic of China in the Classical Asian Chess Championship.
These nations showcased outstanding performance and have proudly represented the spirit of chess in Asia and beyond.

Dear friends,
In this regard, I am pleased to announce that the Asian Chess Federation has decided to award the hosting rights of the next edition of the Asian Individual Chess Championship – Masters Section to Mongolia, in recognition of its ongoing efforts in promoting chess and our full confidence in its ability to deliver an exceptional event worthy of this prestigious continental championship.

On this special day, May 15, 2025, I am also delighted to announce the signing of an agreement between the Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club and the International Chess Federation (FIDE) to launch the FIDE Al Ain ACMG Academy.

I now ask the team to display the official logo of the Academy.

Through this global academy, we aim to elevate the game of chess worldwide, nurture talents from across all continents, and provide world-class training under the guidance of top international coaches, following best practices and global standards. Our services will be delivered in ten languages.

Thank you once again for being with us today. We look forward to seeing you again at our future events

Mongolian Chess Federation President His Excellency Gombojav Zandanshatar makes the ceremonial final round opening move assisted by Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher and Organizing Committee Executive Director IM Sami Khader.

In the last round, GM Sarin Nihal of India dealt erstwhile solo leader GM Bardiya Daneshvar of Iran his only loss in the tournament. The Indian GM smashed the Queen’s Pawn opening, Chigorin variation, of the Iranian in 34 moves.

Despite his loss, Daneshvar finished in a tie for first with GM Sarin Nihal at 7 points each after 9 rounds and prevailed in the tie-break to garner the gold medal.

Games were broadcast live on www.chess.com and https://lichess.org/ and https://live.chessbase.com/.

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

GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov of Uzbekistan (right) drew with compatriot GM Yakubboev Nodirbek (left) to finish in a 6-way tie for third at 6.5 points each. Vokhidov had the best tie break to win the bronze medal.

GM Ivan Zemlyanskii (FID) essayed the Italian Game to draw with GM S.L. Narayanan of India in 32 moves for both to finish in a tie with 6.5 points.

Here are the top 15 placers who received cash prizes:

Daneshvar had previously qualified for the World Cup from the Zone 3.1 Zonals. Therefore, the next ten players in the Asian Individual Championship qualified into the FIDE World Cup. Here are the crucial last round matches:

Mongolian Chess Federation President His Excellency Gombojav Zandanshatar makes the ceremonial final round opening move assisted by Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher.

On top board, IM Vantika Agrawal of India (left) outplayed the Slav Defense of erstwhile solo leader Bat-Erdene Mungunzul of Mongolia (right) in 64 moves of a minor piece endgame.

IM Song Yuxin of China (left) crushed the French defense of IM Gulrukhbegim Tokhirojonova of Uzbekistan (right) in 32 moves. The win allowed Song to prevail in a 4-way tie at 7 points each together with Bat-Erdene Mungunzul, WGM Xeniya Balabayeva of Kazakhstan and Vantika Agrawal.

WGM Xeniya Balabayeva of Kazakhstan (left) used the Caro Kann Defense to turn back Munguntuul Batkhuyag of Mongolia (right) in 77 moves and tie at 7 points to win the bronze medal by better tie break over Agrawal.

Song and Mungunzul qualify into the FIDE Women’s World Cup slated this July in Batumi, Georgia.

Here are the top 12 women who received cash prizes.

Here are results of the crucial last round matches in the women’s division:

GM Bardiya Daneshvar of Iran (left) crushed the French defense of GM Abhimanyu Puranik of India in 83 moves to near the title after the penultimate 8th round of the Asian Individual Chess Championship at the Danat Resort Hotel in Al Ain, UAE.

Games are broadcast live on www.chess.com and https://lichess.org/ and https://live.chessbase.com/.

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

The top ten men shall qualify into the FIDE World Cup slated October-November this year. Here are leaders after eight rounds

In the women’s division, Bat-Erdene Mungunzul of Mongolia (left) smashed the Queen’s Gambit Declined of WGM Seshadri Srija of India in 81 moves of a King and pawn endgame.

The top two women shall qualify into the FIDE Women’s World Cup this July in Batumi, Georgia. Here are women leaders after eight rounds

Daneshvar and Mungunzul are a full point ahead of the second running rivals in their respective divisions.