quang liem enters third round of 2023 fide world cup in azerbaijan picture 1
Ivan Ivanisevic (L) accepts a 0-2 defeat to Le Quang Liem in a tiebreak series as part of the ongoing 2023 FIDE World Cup in Baku on August 4. (Photo: FIDE)

After holding Liem (elo 2,740) to a draw in two standard chess games, Ivanisevic (elo 2,536) could not make a surprise in a rapid chess tiebreak of the second round.

In the first game, Liem, holding White pieces, went ahead with accurate and fast moves, forcing his Serbian opponent to concede defeat quickly.

In the second game, Ivanisevic sought a victory to equalize the score, while Liem only needed a draw to enter the third round.

But the leading Vietnamese chess player did more than that. Despite holding Black pieces, Liem gradually created an advantage before forcing Ivanisevic to surrender, accepting another defeat.

Progressing onto the third round also helped Liem earn US$10,000 in cash. He is scheduled to play the first standard chess game on August 5.

The FIDE World Cup 2023 is taking place in Azerbaijan from July 30 to August 24, drawing the participation of 206 players. Total prizes are worth up to US$2.5 million.

Source: VOV