VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam's Le Quang Liem returned to winning ways at the Asian Chess Championships after an unexpected first round flop against China's Xiu Deshun.

Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son. (Photo: Internet)
Liem, top seed and strong contender for the first place at the tournament being held in HCM City for the first time, defeated his elder brother Le Quang Long in the second round and China's Ma Qun in the third round.

Another strong title contender, fourth seed Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, had only 1.5 points after three draws.

Chinese players Yu Yangyi and Liu Qingnan are leading the open standard chess tournament with three points each.

Liem will face compatriot Nguyen Van Huy in the fourth round while Son faces another compatriot Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy.

In the women's division, Nguyen Thi Thanh An and Hoang Thi Bao Tram both scored two wins and a draw to earn 2.5 points. Pham Le Thao Nguyen has two points.

Mongolian Batchimeg Tuvshintugs and Indonesian Sukandar Irine Kharisma are leading the women's division with three points each.

In fourth round matches, An will face Munguntuul Batkhuyag of Mongolia while Tram meets Tan Zhongyi of China.

The tournament, which has attracted about 120 players from 15 countries, will conclude on May 14.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News