Liem leads China chess tournament

Liem leads China chess tournament

A chance to win the title at the Zhejiang Lishui Xingqiu International Open is nearing for Grand Master Le Quang Liem, as he defeated Chinese Xiu Deshun in the seventh game on Wednesday.

With the win, Liem received 6.5 points and temporarily led the event.

The HCM City-born player, the event’s top seed among 56 players from five countries, with an Elo rating of 2602, made a good start and defeated talented rivals such as International Master Lu Shanglei (Elo 2303), Wu Xibin (Elo 2346) and Grand Master Wang Rui (Elo 2435).

The nine-round Swiss has a prize fund of US$30,000 and is the first international open in China in the past seven years. The organisers have confirmed that this will be an annual event with increased cash-prize every year.

Liem will be the only Vietnamese representative in the World Chess Championship’s final round next November. Last month, he ranked four in the Kolkata Open, India.

Sang, Thanh win gymnastics golds

HCM City’s Minh Sang and Hai Phong’s Ha Thanh won golds in the men’s and women’s all-around events at the National Gymnastics Championships on Wednesday.

Sang outclassed other rivals with his perfect performance and a top score of 83.1 points. Hanoians Phuoc Hung and Hoang Cuong placed second and third with 81.5 points and 79.2 points, respectively.

On the women’s side, Thanh brought home gold with 53.350 points. Ha Noi’s Ngan Thuong, back from a one-year ban from competition by the International Olympics Committee after she tested positive for drugs at the Beijing Olympics last year, finished second with 51.950 points. Thuong’s teammate, Thu Huyen, came in third with 49.250 points.

Many athletes nationwide are competing at the eight-day event at the Quan Ngua Sport Palace, which lasts through next Wednesday.

Men’s volleyball team in Philippines

The national men’s volleyball team flew to the Philippines yesterday to take part in the 15th Asian Men’s Volleyball Championships, which begins tomorrow.

The event attracted 18 teams divided into four groups. They will compete in a round robin, then choose the first and second place winners of each group to compete for first to eighth places.

According to the draw by the Asian Volleyball Federation on Tuesday, Viet Nam will compete in Group C with China, Iran, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong. As scheduled, Viet Nam will meet China for the first game tomorrow. —

Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn