Le Tuan Minh of host Vietnam earned the second place at the HDBank International Chess Open Tournament, which wrapped up in Hanoi on March 15.

Le Tuan Minh of Vietnam (left) tops the HDBank Chess Open (Photo of organisers)

The 22-year-old master defeated the champion Sandro Mereco from Argentina in the eighth round but drew Karthikeyan Murali from India in the ninth round.

As a result, Sandro Mereco won the berth with 7.5 points, while Minh was listed in the runner up group.

Vietnam’s No.1 seed Le Quang Liem came third with 6.5 points.

After seven editions in Ho Chi Minh City, this is the first time the HDBank Cup International Open Chess tournament has been held in Hanoi. 

It is the biggest professional chess tourney in Vietnam and Southeast Asia and a competition in the World Chess Federation’s system. 

The event attracted over 270 players from 21 countries and territories.-VNA