10th ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships 2009 will again be held in Vietnam!

Dear Colleagues, 10th ASEAN + AGE-GROUP CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS  Hue, Vietnam – 6th to 15th June 2009  Following on the major success of the World Youth Championships held last year in Vietnam, the ASEAN Championships will be held in Hue, Vietnam, from 6th to 15th June 2009. Participants may compete in the U-8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 20 Age-Groups for Girls and Open. In addition, Seniors (aged 50 and above) will be held.  Hue is the ancient capital of Vietnam and has a rich history which attracts tourism throughout the whole year. To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the ASEAN Chess Confederation and the ASEAN Age-Group Chess Championships, we shall accept direct individual registrations as well as even those from countries/territories within and from Asia.  Please kindly return us your registration as soon as possible so that we could ascertain the number of rooms required in the official hotel. Registration may be by fax or email.  We look forward to welcome you in Hue soon.  Thank you.  Yours sincerely, Ignatius Leong  ASEAN Chess Confederation President Please download the Regulations.

 

Overall Winners of the 1st ASEAN Grand Prix

With the conclusion of the 1st Dragon Capital - Vietnam Open, the 1st ASEAN Grand Prix has come to an end.

The USD 25,000 overall prize fund - based on top three results - is for the top 6 finishers, and IM Julio C Sadorra of the Philippines was first, winning USD 6,000, ahead of his good friend and countryman GM Wesley So whose second place was worth USD 5,000.

Third and fourth places were also won by Philippine players, Rolando Nolte and IM Richard Bitoon, respectively getting USD 4,000 and USD 3,000.

Vietnam GMs Dao Tien Hai and Nguyen Auh Dung were fifth and sixth, respectively winning USD 2,000 and USD 1,000.

Intchess Asia, as promised by ASEAN Chess Confederation President Ignatius Leong, sponsored the overall prize fund of the 1st ASEAN Grand Prix in the absence of the promised title sponsor.

Born and agreed to by the National Chess Federations of the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore on 23 September 2007 in Cebu, Philippines during the 6th Asian Individual Championships and World Cup qualifier, the objective of the ASEAN Grand Prix is to help ASEAN grandmasters to earn a living from the game while giving norm and title opportunities for talented players in the region.

There were in total 6 tournaments: The 3rd PGMA Cup 2007 and 2nd Pichay Cup 2007 in Manila followed by the Singapore Open 2007, the Philippines Open 2008 and the 1st Subic International Open 2008 in Subic-Olangapo City, and the 1st Dragon Capital - Vietnam Open 2008.

With the success of the ASEAN Grand Prix, there are now plans to expand into a 10 tournament APAC Pro Tour in 2008/9.

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ASEAN Club Cup Rules & Regulations

1. Introduction & Participation.

1.1. The ASEAN Cup is intended to be the premier chess team competition for clubs in the region - providing a platform to engage leading social clubs and corporations to support chess.

1.2. Open to all legally incorporated/registered clubs in ASEAN countries that are endorsed by their respective national chess federations.

2. Team Composition.

2.1. A team will consist of 6 players and 2 reserves, and must comprise 3 Men, 1 Woman and 2 Juniors (1 Boy & 1 Girl, both under 16).

2.2. Players will be registered with the ASEAN Chess Confederation and both players and teams will subsequently be subject to transfer regulations should there be movement of players between teams.

2.3. Each team will be allowed to field up to 2 foreign players (non-ASEAN).

3. Format of Play.

3.1. There will be two divisions, the Championship and the Open, and a total of three competitions.

3.2. All teams will start in the Open, a 9 Round Swiss where the winner will be the Open Champion and the top two teams qualifying for promotion to the Championship. (In the first year, the top 8 teams will qualify for the Championship, and winner also awarded the ASEAN Cup).

3.3. The Championship will be decided by the top 8 teams playing a Round Robin over 7 rounds with the top 4 finishers also qualifying for a play-off for the ASEAN Cup and the bottom 2 relegated to the Open division.

3.4. The play-offs will be Semi-Final (1 vs 4, 2 vs 3) followed by the Final for the ASEAN Cup.

4. Financial Obligations

4.1. The entry fees is USD 500 per team.

4.2. For the Open, all teams will bear their own costs of travel, board and lodging, and related expenses. The host will pay the costs of organising including the venue, equipment, prizes, and provide the manpower necessary to hold the event.

4.3. For the Championship, the teams will bear the costs of travel and related expenses, while hosts will pay the costs of organising as well as board and lodging.

4.4. For the ASEAN Cup, the teams will bear the costs of travel and related expenses, while the hosts will bear the costs of organising, board and lodging and provide a suitable prize fund.

5. Bid to Host.

5.1. All ASEAN member federations/organisations may bid for the Open and/or Championship and ASEAN Cup as per the official bid process.

5.2. The budget submitted will however be subject to review and final approval by the President or his representative.