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GM Nihal Sarin Wins 18th Tashkent Open

Top 3 (L to R): 2nd GM Sanan Sjugirov (HUN) 7.5/10, 1st GM Nihal Sarin 8/10 and 3rd GM Abhimanyu Puranik 7.5/10 | Photo: Uzbekistan Chess Federation

by Shahid Ahmed – 30/03/2025

GM Nihal Sarin drew against GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB) to win 18th Tashkent Open, Agzamov Memorial 2025 Open A (≥1800). He finished a half point ahead of the rest as both GM Abhimanyu Puranik and GM Sanan Sjugirov (HUN) drew their games against GM Aleksandar Indjic (SRB) and GM S L Narayanan respectively. Sanan secured second place and Abhimanyu third according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was US$ 75000. The top three prizes were US$ 20000, 10000 and 7000 along with a trophy each. GM Aditya Mittal is the only other Indian to make a top ten finish. He scored 7/10 to finish tenth. This was Nihal’s first Classical rating tournament in 2025 and he won it convincingly. Photo: Uzbekistan Chess Federation

Nihal wins two consecutive tournaments in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

The last Standard rating tournament Nihal Sarin won was 3rd President Cup in November 2024 in Uzbekistan. He started 2025 by winning the first Standard rating tournament he played. WFM Shubhi Gupta became the top female performer. She scored 6/10 to finish 44th overall and first among female participants

Top 3 Women (L to R): 2nd WFM Tatyana Getman 5.5/10, 1st WFM Shubhi Gupta 6/10 and 3rd WFM Varvara Poliakova 5.5/10 | Photo: Uzbekistan Chess Federation

A total of 153 players including 20 GMs, 32 IMs, a WIM took part from 15 countries across the world in Open A (≥1800). The ten day ten-round Swiss league rating tournament was organized by Uzbekistan Chess Federation at International Chess Academy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from 20th to 29th March. It had a time control of 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move no.1.

National Electricity Transmission wins Mongolian Corporate Chess Championship

The Mongolian Chess Federation (MCF), in collaboration with the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), successfully organized the inaugural National Corporate Chess Championship, which concluded on March 29, 2025, in Ulaanbaatar. The event aimed to promote chess within the corporate community, foster strategic thinking, and strengthen professional relationships among Mongolian businesses.

Inspired by the FIDE World Corporate Chess Championship, the competition was spearheaded by Zandanshatar Gombojav (standing at left below), President of the Mongolian Chess Federation and Head of the Presidential Office of Mongolia.

The championship featured 24 teams from Mongolia’s Top 100 enterprises, including Khan Bank, Shunkhlai LLC, APU, Digital Concept LLC (GS25 chain), Sod Mongol Group, Golomt Bank, Tavan Bogd Foods, Monos Pharm, and others.

Each team consisted of five players, with a professional chess player on board one, while the remaining team members were employees of the participating corporations. The tournament followed the FIDE World Corporate Chess Championship format.

The National Electricity Transmission Network team (pictured above) claimed first place, followed by the Golomt bank in second, Erdenet Industry LLC in third, Sod Mongol Group in fourth and Murun Villa LLC in fifth place. All winning teams received prizes from the $25,000 prize fund, and the champions were awarded a handmade, gold-plated trophy.

Both the Mongolian Chess Federation and the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed their satisfaction with the event’s success. They emphasized the importance of integrating chess into corporate culture to enhance critical thinking and decision-making skills among professionals.

Encouraged by the positive response from participating companies, the organizers plan to make the National Corporate Chess Championship an annual event. They aim to increase participation, elevate the level of competition, and even compete in the next edition of the FIDE World Corporate Chess Championship.

Written by WGM Enkhtuul Altan-Ulzii, FIDE Delegate of the Mongolian Chess Federation

Photos: mongolchamber.mn

From National Electricity Transmission Network wins inaugural Mongolian Corporate Chess Championship – International Chess Federation

Mohamad Sacar Wins 1st Vientiane Open FIDE Rating Tournament

Mohamad Sacar of the Philippines swept his assignments and scored 5.0 points to rule the 1st Vientiane Open FIDE Rated Standard Chess Tournament held March 29-30, 2025 at the National Olympic Committee headquarters in Vientiane, Laos. In photo, Sacar (center) receives his trophy from Laos Chess Federation president John Vilavane Inthava (left) and FIDE National Arbiter Roberto Suelo Jr.,
The Bangkok, Thailand based chess instructor Sacar opened his campaign with a win over Alanda Kittikhoun of Laos, then followed it up with victories over Xiang Fan of China, Yupan Fan of China , Candidate Master Yang Chi of Laos and and Khonsavanh Senglek of Laos.
The Cotabato City native Sacar received the 1 million kip cash prize plus trophy and a gold medal for his efforts in this 2-day standard tournament organized by Vilavane Inthava assisted by FIDE National Arbiter Roberto Suelo Jr., and Merlinda Suelo.
Yupan Fan, Yang Chi and Senglek finished with identical 4.0 points.
The fifth to 10th placers were Woman Candidate Master Maly Inthavong (3.5 points), Souphaphone Sihanath (3.5 points), Ryzia Lei Zheysha Suelo (3.5 points), Xiang Fan (3.0 points), Souminta Yomvilath (3.0 points) and Pham Bao Ngan (3.0 points).-Marlon Bernardino-

$80,000 Asian Individual Chess Championship 6-16 May 2025 in Al Ain, UAE

The Road to the World Cup: Asian Individual Chess Championship 2025

May 6 – May 16, 2025 | Danat Hotel & Resorts, Al Ain, UAE

The Asian Individual Chess Championship 2025 is more than just a tournament—it’s a gateway to the FIDE World Cup, where the world’s best players compete on the global stage. Are you ready to take the challenge and claim your place among the elite?

The UAE Chess Federation and Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club on behalf of the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE invite Asian National Federations to participate in the Asian Individual Chess Championships (Open and Women’s) from 6th (arrival) to 16th May (departure) 2025 in Al Ain, UAE.

The top ten (10) from the 2025 Asian (Open) Championship shall qualify into the 2025 World Cup and top two (2) from the 2025 Asian Women’s Championship shall qualify into the 2025 Women’s World Cup.

Total prize fund is $80,000 for Men and Women as follows.

Download Asian Individual Chess Championship 2025 regulations and Asian Individual Chess Championship reg form

 

Asians Rule 2025 FIDE World Schools Chess Championship

The 2025 FIDE World School Chess Championship in Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia has concluded, bringing together 470 young players from 43 national federations in a thrilling competition. Kazakhstan emerged as the most successful nation, winning four gold, three silver, and one bronze medal across twelve tournaments in six age categories.

The home crowd had much to celebrate as Leonid Ivanović claimed silver in the Under-11 category, and Andrej Ljepić secured second place in the Under-17 category.

2025 FIDE World School Championship winners:

Open U7

1. Kairat, Abdul-Malik (KAZ) – 9 points
2. Om, Esh Gottumukala (IND) – 7½
3. Fatkhlislamov, Oskar (FIDE) – 6½

Girls U7

1. Pragnika, Vaka Lakshmi (IND) – 9
2. Azamkhujaeva, Mohinur (UZB) – 7
3. Xu, Vera Jintian (NZL) – 7

Open U9

1. Nematillakhonov, Nurmuhammad (UZB) – 7½
2. Sultankhan, Nurislam (KAZ) – 7
3. Bondarev, Fedor (FIDE) – 7

Girls U9

1. Bissaliyeva, Alisha (KAZ) – 8
2. Uranzaya, Shagdarsuren (MGL) – 8
3. Asadova, Madinabonu (UZB) – 7½

Open U11

1. Zhauynbay, Alimzhan (KAZ) – 7
2. Ivanovic, Leonid (SRB) – 7
3. Uzdemir, Ali Poyraz (TUR) – 6½

Girls U11

1. Nandinjiguur, Chinzorig (MGL) – 8
2. Divi, Bijesh (IND) – 8
3. Munkh-Ayalguu, Dorjderem (MGL) – 6½

Open U13

1. Yurasov, Matfey (FIDE) – 7½
2. Obidov, Biloliddin (UZB) – 7
3. Baturin-Vinogradov, Miroslav (FIDE) – 7

Girls U13

1. Begmuratova, Sarvinoz (UZB) – 7½
2. Amanzhol, Khanzada (KAZ) – 6½
3. Gaer, Sofiya Ig (FIDE) – 6½

Open U15

1. Scheglov, Gleb (FIDE) – 8
2. Tabatadze, Erekle (GEO) – 7
3. Kabinazar, Nurmukhammed (KAZ) – 7

Girls U15

1. Imomkuzieva, Nilufarkhon (UZB) – 7
2. Japparbekova, Malika (KAZ) – 6½
3. Ferrer Naranjo, Liennys (CUB) – 6

Open U17

1. Bogdanov, Artyom (KAZ) – 7
2. Ljepic, Andrej (SRB) – 7
3. Elmirzaev, Khondamir (UZB) – 6½

Girls U17

1. Buyankhishig, Batpelden (MGL) – 7½
2. Kirtadze, Anastasia (GEO) – 7
3. Newansa, M Esandi (SRI) – 6

The solemn and well-attended closing ceremony featured addresses from key chess officials. Özgür Solakoğlu, a representative of FIDE, praised the Chess Federation of Serbia for organizing an exceptional event. In his speech, he expressed hope that Serbia would once again host future FIDE competitions.

Then Boban Đurović, the mayor of Vrnjačka Banja, took the floor, followed by Andrija Jorgić, president of the Chess Federation of Serbia, who officially declared the tournament closed.

“Do not forget that chess is a knight’s game, and that the one sitting across from you is not your enemy but your opponent at the chessboard,” Jorgić reminded the participants.

The FIDE World School Chess Championship was not the only major tournament held in Serbia. The country is also set to host the FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship in November 2025, further cementing its reputation as a premier chess destination.

Photos: Andrej Jovanovic/Chess Federation of Serbia

Visit chess-rsults.com

Official website: worldschool2025.fide.com

From Winners crowned at 2025 FIDE World School Championship – International Chess Federation

Peter Chin-Durias Law Office Team Wins 1st CDO Chess GM Quest Tournament


Team  Law Office of Peter Chin-Durias representing Misamis Occidental swept the recently concluded team competition of the 1st CDO Chess Grandmaster Quest Tournament with a score of 7-0 held at the City Mall Iponan in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines over the weekend.
Board 1 Johnny Wellem Carzano from Tangub City bannered the squad that bagged the title plus P25,000 top purse of this prestigious tourney that featured the best athletes in Mindanao.
Joining Carzano in the winning team were Mardonio Fuentes on Board 2 and Gilbert Baba on Board 3, both from Ozamiz City.
Patsada placed second while GCF-A settled third.
LGU Gingoog and Ajuguilon 45, ended up in fourth and fifth place, respectively.
The Individual Elementary section was won by Quinn Zian Yongod while placing second in the Open section was Carzano , all from Misamis Occidental. Eutemio Coquilla of CDO took the Open crown.
“We would like to thank Atty. Peter Chin Durias for supporting our participation in the CDO Chess team and Individual tournament,” said the 36 year old Carzano, former varsity player at the University of San Jose-Recoletos in Cebu City. – Marlon Bernardino

Datamatics A Win Atty. Quirino Sagario Memorial Chess Team Tournament

by Marlon Bernardino
Datamatics A topped the Atty. Quirino Sagario Memorial Chess Team Tournament last Saturday,  March 22, 2025 at Robinsons Place, Pala Pala, Dasmarinas City, Cavite, Philippines.
Mark Kevin Labog anchored the Datamatics A campaign together with Jerome Villanueva and John Michael Magpily.
Glory Grace Branzuela is team captain of Datamatics.
Datamatics A finished 12 match points from six wins and one loss to win the trio team event and go home with the top prize of P25,000.
In the last round, Datamatics A edged Chessme8 team B, 2-1.
Villanueva beat Jhulo Goloran on board 2 while Labog toppled Stephen Manzanero on board 3.
Ricardo Batcho defeated Magpily on board 1 to prevent a shutout of his team.

Team Jemire, Chessme 8-B, Tira Tira Sampaloc Phil. Army , Chessme 8-A and PLDT A tallied 10 match points apiece to settle for 2nd to 6th places, respectively.
Rounding up the top 10 were seventh placer Larry Dumadag Team Nouri (9 match points), eighth placer Master Class (9 match points), ninth placer JRU Seniors Coach Elo team (9 match points), and tenth placer Datamatics B (8 match points).-Marlon Bernardino-