The Asian Zone 3.3 Championships, both open and woman, slated from 21-30 January 2013 in the Philippines, began today with the opening ceremony followed by round one at the Tagaytay International Convention Centre.
Zone 3.3 President President “Bambang” Tolentino, who is also National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Secretary General, welcomed the participants and then witnessed the ceremonial opening moves between local superstar Wesley So and Vietnam’s Dao Tien Hai.
So, together with Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, are heavily favoured to win the two qualifying slots for the coming World Cup in Tromso, Norway, while Mongolia’s Batkhuyag Munguntuul is expected to be the sole qualifier for the Women’s World Cup.
Defending champion Susanto Megaranto is however expected to lead a strong challenge to So and Nguyen which includes fellow grandmasters Mark Paragua, Rogelio Antonio, and Darwin Laylo, while Muguktuul’s main challenge will likely be from Vietnam No. 1 Pham Le Thao Nguyen.
Report by Peter Long
Participants:
1 GM SO Wesley PHI 2682
2 GM NGUYEN Ngoc Truong Son VIE 2631
3 GM ANTONIO Rogelio Jr PHI 2541
4 GM DAO Thien Hai VIE 2531
5 GM MEGARANTO Susanto INA 2529
6 IM GUNDAVAA Bayarsaikhan MGL 2522
7 GM GOMEZ John Paul PHI 2520
8 GM PARAGUA Mark PHI 2519
9 IM NGUYEN Van Huy VIE 2504
10 IM NGUYEN Duc Hoa VIE 2495
11 GM LAYLO Darwin PHI 2491
12 GM CAO Sang VIE 2488
13 GM TORRE Eugenio PHI 2485
14 GM BARCENILLA Rogelio PHI 2483
15 IM NOLTE Rolando PHI 2460
16 IM DIMAKILING Oliver PHI 2427
17 GM BITOON Richard PHI 2411
18 IM NADERA Barlo A. PHI 2392
19 FM PASCUA Haridas PHI 2386
20 FM MUNKHGAL Gombosuren MGL 2372