In the Open Section, the top 2 leaders separated by half point, are slugging it out on Table 1 to be the outright winner of the Open Section. GM Zhou Jianchao of China with 6.5 points - handling the white pieces, is trailing compatriot GM Xiu Deshun who is in front with 7 points. Whilst GM Xiu needs a draw to be in the lead and claim the event's title, GM Zhou Jianchao needs a win to overtake his opponent and earn himself the title.
On Table 2, another Chinese pair WGM Ding Yixin and GM Lu Shanglei - both with 6 points, are vying to close the gap and earn the top 3 spots for this year's edition. 2 other players with 6 points are paired on Table 3 between Vietnamese IM Nguyen Duc Hoa against Australia's IM Max Illingworth. The other player with 6 points, GM Ma Qun floated down to meet 5.5 pointer GM Laylo Darwin of the Philippines.
For the Malaysian players, Ng Tze Han continued his fine performance and currently faces IM Oliver Dimakiling of the Philippines on Table 13 with both players having secured 5 points after 8 rounds. A win by Tze Han should catapult him within the top 20 players in the championship. Similarly, young Yeoh Li Tian also can achieve the same feat if he were to win his final round game against Indian IM Siddharth Ravichandran with both having the same 5 points out of 8 rounds.
Another Malaysian player with 5 points is Jonathan Chuah Jin Hai who is playing against FM Carlos Leonardo on Table 16.
Other notable Malaysians playing the event are Fong Yit San, Evan Timothy Capel, (Dr) FM Ronnie Lim Chuin Hoong and Sumant Subramaniam all with 4.5 points after 8 rounds. FM Ronnie Lim did well in the first few rounds before the mid tournament break day but suffered a slight performance setback as the event continued
For the Malaysian ladies, former National Champion Tan Li Ting leads the pack with 4 points, playing on Table 32 against Philippines James Bitoon and half a point behind her are WCM Fong Mi Yen, WFM Nur Najiha Azman Hisham and Camilia Johari
In the AMBANK Chess Challenger section, a similar situation with both the top 2 players facing one another to determine the ouright title for the coveted title. Pinoys' Lorena Carlo with 7 points faces compatriot Largo Bengt with 7.5 points on Table 1 to decide the champion. On Table 2, locals Tan Eng Seong of Penang (who is currently running in 3rd place) faces Perakian Fong Yit Ho and the winner will have a chance to secure either the 3rd or 4th placing in the Amateur category.
For the Seniors Section, it is a runaway title for GM Dmitry Kayumov of Uzbekistan having secured 7 points out of 8 rounds with only one more round to go. GM Kayumov suffered a defeat at the hands of Malaysia's IM Jimmy Liew in Round 3 but managed to come back on top after IM Jimmy Liew surprising lost to Philippines Efren Bagamasbad in the 5th round. From then on, there was no turning back for the veteran GM Kayumov with IM Jimmy Liew hot on his trail. IM Jimmy Liew with 6 points is currently second and he is expected to maintain his position as the Seniors event draws to a close. Currently in 3rd place with 5.5 points is Efren Bagamasbad and in 4th placing, Singapore veteren IM Chen Peng Kong with 5 points
Full results of the event can be viewed at www.chess-results.com
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| Penangite Tan Eng Seong (in yellow) against Perakian Fong Yit Ho (right) on Table 2 in the AMBANK Chess Challenge Section |
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| The top 2 boards in the Open Section in the last Round 9 |
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| Malaysia's IM Jimmy Liew - currently running in 2nd place for the KLK Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng Seniors event |
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| GM Dmitry Kayumov looks to secure his 3rd consecutive title as the Seniors Champion |
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| WGM Ding Yixin (left) playing against compatriot GM Lu Shanglei (right) |
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| GM Zhou Jianchao pondering for his next move |
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| White screen displaying the games happening on Table 1 and Table 2 |
why your title always start with .... of ? of this, of that lah, i find it rather uncreative
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