VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam's top chess player, Le Quang Liem, took the title at the HD Bank Cup International Open Chess tournament in HCM City yesterday, March 22.

Le Quang Liem took the title at the HD Bank Cup International Open Chess tournament in HCM City yesterday.

Liem beat Indian Padmini Rout in the last and ninth round of the event.

The two-time Aeroflot Open champion bested his rival in 50 moves.

With 7.5 points after nine matches, the HCM City player finished first and received US$12,000 cash prize.

Zhang Zhong and Li Chao of China came second and third, with seven and 6.5 points, respectively.

Liem said the last match was very stressful so he had to compete with all his might. "My rival played very carefully, however she made an error and I took full advantage to win the event," he added.

Last Sunday, Liem, the former world blitz champion, also took the FIDE World Chess Championships-Zone 3.3 held in HCM City. This gives him a berth for the world event to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from September 10 to October 4.

"Taking part in two big events in a row is a great chance to sharpen my skills and gain experience. I am glad to receive my family's support in every event," Liem said.

Vietnamese veteran Le Kieu Thien Kim took the women's title with six points and walked away with a bonus of $3,000.

The tournament was entered by 85 chess masters from 14 countries, including India, Switzerland, Russia, Hungary and China. Among them were 22 international masters and 14 FIDE masters.

They played in the nine-round Swiss-style contest.

Viet Nam sent 42 masters to the $35,000 tourney.

The annual event, the largest of its kind held by the Viet Nam Chess Federation, is part of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) 's competition system.

VNS