21st ASEAN+ Age-Group Championships gets underway

New Zealand’s Bob Gibbons might be the most enthusiastic Anti-Cheating arbiter!

Officials and guests at the opening ceremony

From left to right: GM Artur Yusupov, IA Takis Nikolopoulos and his wife, ASEAN Chess Confederation (ACC) President Ignatius Leong and ACC Vice Presidents Sahapol Nakvavich and Maung Maung Lwin, who are also Chief Organiser and Chief Arbiter respectively, as well as Presidents of the Thailand Chess Federation and the Myanmar Chess Federation.

Three rounds have been played so far and, as ever, regional powerhouse Vietnam has the team with the players to beat.

In the current rankings, Vietnam has the top three players in Open U-8, Open U-10, Open U-16 and Open U-18. They have the top two players in Open U-12 (Singapore is third), second in Open U-14 (Indonesia is first and third) and third in Open U-20 (Philippines is first and Thailand is second).

In Girls U-8 and U-10 Combined, the Philippines is first with Vietnam second and third, in Girls U-12 and U-14 Combined and Girls U-16, Vietnam is first and third with the Philippines second, and in both Girls U-18 and Girls U-20, Vietnam is first, second and third.

In the Seniors 50 and 65 Combined, the Philippines are first, Myanmar second and New Zealand third.

The Chief Arbiter is happy that play is underway

Full details on standings and pairings and links to live games can be found here.

The ASEAN Chess Confederation - European Chess Union Chess Symposium is organised in parallel and started on 19 June 2023 with the Trainers Workshop conducted by GM Artur Yusupov.

Ignatius Leong (left) introducing GM Artur Yusupov

GM Artur Yusupov leading the discussion on "Chess Talent"

About the Author

Peter Long is an FM, FIDE trainer, international organiser, international arbiter and a man who has brought chess to Malaysia and neighbouring countries through his efforts over the years. He has previously been part of FIDE as Secretary of the Trainers' Commission.