News – Page 26 – Asian Chess

Tin Jingyao of Singapore, Shafira Devi Herfesa of Indonesia Top Zone 3.3 Zonals

GM Tin Jingyao of Singapore (third from left) and IM Uurtsaikh Agibileg of Mongolia (second from right) drew their last round game to finish 1st and 2nd respectively with equal 7 points and clinch the two slots into the FIDE World Cup.

GM Tin Jingyao of Singapore

The Zone 3.3 Zonal Championship was organized by the Mongolian Chess Federation under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE from 22 April to 2 May 2025 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

IM Uurtsaikh Agibileg of Mongolia

Also tied with 7 points but with a lower tie break was IM Sugar Gan-Erdene (above left) of Mongolia who finished third.

In the women’s division, Shafira Devi Herfesa of Indonesia (above center and below) tied with Enkh-Amgalan Enkhrii of Mongolia (left) at 7 points each but Herfesa had a better tie break to earn the slot to the FIDE Women’s World Cup.

Fifty four men from seven countries and 55 women from five countries competed in the Zonal. A total of $15,000 in cash prizes was at stake with $9,000 for men and $6,000 for women. Congratulations to the Mongolian Chess Federation for a well organized event.

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

Record Participation in Asian Individual Chess Championships

Asian Chess Federation president Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan (center) announces the Asian Individual Chess Championship at a press conference at the Sheraton Hotel in Abu Dhabi together with (from left) Omar Al Waswasi, Board Member of Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club, ACF General Secretary Hisham Al Taher, Suhail bin Abdullah Al Arifi, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Abdulrahim Mahdi representing the UAE Chess Federation.

A record 250 players from 33 countries are participating in the Asian Individual Chess Championship scheduled 6-16 May 2025 at the Danat International Resort Hotel in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

This was announced by Asian Chess Federation President Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan, concurrent president of the organizing Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club.

An awesome 53 Grandmasters, 19 Woman Grandmasters, 69 IMs and 19 WIMs, 20 FMs and 19 WFMs are competing in separate divisions.

Visit chess-results.com for full list of players.

The top ten shall qualify into the FIDE World Cup. The top two women shall qualify into the FIDE Women’s World Cup.

A total of $80,000 in cash prizes are at stake for the standard and blitz championships.

Eleven men and nine women who have already qualified from the Zonals into the World Cup are joining again. Should they finish in the top ten men or top two women, the next in line shall qualify into the respective FIDE World Cups.

Tin Jingyao Maintains Lead, Bayasgalan New Leader in Women’s Zone 3.3 Zonal

GM Tin Jingyao of Singapore (left) beat IM Ganzorig Amartuvshin of Mongolia in the sixth round and drew with IM Dau Khuong Duy of Vietnam in the seventh to maintain solo lead with 6 points at the homestretch of the Zone 3.3 Zonal Chess Championship in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. (photos by Tulga Tserengavaa).

Seven countries are competing in the Zonals, namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and host Mongolia. The tournament is organized by the Mongolian Chess Federation under the auspices of FIDE and the Asian Chess Federation.

The top two (2) – the winner and runner-up players in the Open section shall qualify for the FIDE World Cup 2025. The winner of the Women’s section shall qualify for the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025. At stake are a total of $15,000 in cash prizes (pre-tax).

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

Watch men’s live games in https://www.chess.com/events/info/2025-asian-zonal-3-3/games

and for women’s live games in https://www.chess.com/events/2025-asian-zonal-3-3-women/games

Here are the top standings among men:

In the women’s division, WCM Khishigbaatar Bayasgalan of Mongolia (right) beat erstwhile solo leader compatriot Enkh Amgalan Enkhrii (left) in the sixth round and beat Luong Hoang Tu Linh of Vietnam in the seventh to grab solo lead with 6.5 points, a full point ahead of second running Enkhrii, WGM Turmunkh Munkhzul of Mongolia and WFM Janelle Mae Frayna of the Philippines.

Here are top standings among the women.

Western Asia Youth Team Awards in Standard Chess

Asian Chess Federation Deputy President Bharat Singh of India (right) and Jamshed Mirza of the Tajikistan Chess Federation (left) present medals for team awards in the Western Asia Youth Chess Championship Girls Under 8 held 20–29 April 2025 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. (Photos by Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh).

Team medals were granted considering total results of the best three players from a delegation/federation. A delegation/federation should have at least two players to claim a team medal. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings.

Kazakhstan Rules Western Asia Youth Chess Championship

Kazakhstan won four gold medals in standard chess to cement its dominance after also winning the rapid and blitz chess events in the Western Asia Youth Chess Championship held 20th to 29th April 2025 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

In photo, His Excellency Zulfiqor Gulahmadzoda (second from left), Sport Minister of Tajikistan and Vice President of the National Olympic Committee, Chief Arbiter IA Husan Turdialiev (left) and Jamshed Mirza of the Tajikistan Chess Federation (right) award prizes for Best Federation.

Players under FID flag placed second with three gold medals followed by Uzbekistan with two golds, ahead of Iran by number of silver medals. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings.

IM Concio Wins Victoria Sports Club Rapid Chess Tournament

International Master Michael Concio Jr. (fourth from left) scored a crucial win over FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri in the seventh and final round to claim the championship of the Victoria Sports Club Rapid Chess Tournament (Season 2) held April 27, 2024 at the Victoria Sports Tower, Quezon City, Philippines.

After losing to Kyle Emmanuel Ochoa in the fourth round, Concio bounced back with aplomb to down his last three opponents—International Master Ricardo De Guzman (round 5), Woman International Master Kylen Joy Mordido (round 6) and Nouri (round 7).

Concio, one of the top players of the famous Dasmariñas Chess Academy of Mayor Jenny Barzaga and Coach FIDE Master Roel Abelgas, opened his bid in a bright note beating Terra Brielle Abad (Round 1), Zedric Silva (Round 2) and International Master Barlo Nadera (Round 3), respectively.

Concio had just come from winning the blitz competition of the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club last April 17 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Nadera defeated Ochoa in the last round to finish with 6.0 points in seven outings, the same output as Concio and Nouri.

After the tie breaks were applied, Concio took the title, Nouri wound up second while Nadera finished third.

Concio pocketed P10,000 , championships trophy, accommodation at Victoria Sports Hotel and one month premiere membership.

Nouri settled for P3,000 , runner-up trophy, accommodation at Victoria Sports Hotel and one month premiere membership.

Nadera received P2,500, third place trophy, accommodation at Victoria Sports Hotel and one month premiere membership.

Rounding up the top 10 were fourth placer Tristan Jared Cervero, fifth placer Ochoa, sixth placer Jerome Villanueva, seventh placer Cedric Daniel Macato, eighth placer Davin Sean Romualdez, ninth placer International Master Rolando Nolte and tenth placer Zedric Silva.

Adjudged category winners were Mordido (top lady), Mark Christian Evangelista (top non-master), De Guzman (top senior), IM Angelo Young (top PWD), Jericho Winston Cu (top junior), and John Randall Peralta (top kiddie).-Marlon Bernardino-

Western Asia Youth Blitz Chess Team Awards in Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher of the UAE (left) and HE Zulfiqor Gulahmadzoda, Sport Minister of Tajikistan and Vice President of the National Olympic Committee, award prizes to winners of the Western Asia Youth Blitz Chess Team Championship Girls Under 8 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. (Photos by Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh)

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Iran Top Western Asia Youth Blitz Chess Championship

Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher of the UAE (left) and HE Zulfiqor Gulahmadzoda, Sport Minister of Tajikistan and Vice President of the National Olympic Committee, award prizes to winners of the Western Asia Youth Blitz Chess Championship Girls Under 8 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. (Photos by Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh)

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Iran emerged top three in the Western Asia Youth Blitz Chess Championship. Kazakhstan children won five gold medals followed by Uzbekistan with three golds and Iran with two golds in the blitz competition. Here is blitz medal tally:

Tin Jingyao, Enkh-Amgalan Enkhrii Grab Lead in Zone 3.3 Zonals in Mongolia

Mongolian Chess Federation president Gombojav Zandanshatar and Zone 3.3 president Senator GM Utut Adianto of Indonesia make the ceremonial moves opening the Zone 3.3 Zonal Chess Championship in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Top seed GM Tin Jingyao of Singapore (playing white in photo above) grabbed solo lead with 4.5 points after the halfway fifth round of the Zone 3.3 Men’s Zonal. Five players follow a half point behind in the race for the top two slots qualifying into the FIDE World Cup.

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

Watch men’s live games in https://www.chess.com/events/info/2025-asian-zonal-3-3/games

and for women’s live games in https://www.chess.com/events/2025-asian-zonal-3-3-women/games

In the women’s division, local bet WFM Enkh-Amgalan Enkhrii is alone with a perfect five points. The winner shall qualify into the FIDE Women’s World Cup.

Children in Mongolian costumes at the parade of flags of participating countries with Mongolian Chess Federation president and officials.

Team Awards for Western Asia Youth Rapid Chess Championship

Asian Chess Federation Arbiters Commission Chairman Abdulrahim Mahdi of the UAE (left) and Tajikistan Chess Federation Delegate Khurshed Vatanov (right) award team medals to Girls Under 8 in the Western Asia Youth Rapid Chess Championship.

Ms. Diana Abdimanat (left), Head of Delegation of Kazakhstan, and IM Akmal Fayzollah (right), Head of Delegation of Uzbekistan, award team medals for Western Asia Youth Girls Under 18.

Marat OrazBayev (left), Assistant of Kazakhstan Embassy in Dushanbe and GM Gennady Kuzmin award team medals for Western Asia Youth Rapid Chess Championship Boys Under 8.

Zafar Nazarzadeh (left), Vice President of Tajikistan Chess Federation, and IM Mikhail Marco (right), Head of Delegation of Kyrgyzstan award medals to Western Asia Youth Rapid Team Championship for Boys Under 16.