VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese chess master, Nguyen Duc Hoa, finished third at the Piaya Network Negros International Open which closed in Bacolod, Philippines, on October 19.

Vietnamese chess master Nguyen Duc Hoa (centre) receives his certificate for a third place at the Piaya Network Negros International Open which closed in Bacolod, Philippines, on October 19. — Photo vietnamchess.vn

The No 5 seed grabbed six wins, two draws and one loss to get seven points.

No 1 seed, Master Nigel of England, won the top place with eight points. Grigoryan Karen of Armenia had seven points, the same as Hoa, but he earned a silver as he had a better parameter.

Viet Nam’s top hope, Tran Tuan Minh, failed to make it to the top three. He suffered three unexpected losses to rivals whose world ranking was below his. Minh was No 12 with only 5.5 points.

His younger brother, Tran Minh Thang, placed No 6 with six points.

Thang and former world U12 champion, Nguyen Anh Khoi, will compete next at the first FIDE World Youth Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships for Boys and Girls U14, U16, U18. The tournament will be held in Greece from October 27 to 31.

VNS