News – Asian Chess

Darry Bernardo keeps lead in Asian Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities

By Marlon Bernardino

Darry Bernardo defeated compatriot Felix Aguilera to create a three way tie for first place after three rounds of the 3rd Asian Chess Championship 2025 for players with disabilities among Men on 3rd December 2025 in Tagaytay City, Philippines. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings for Men and Women.

Bernardo (above left), who drew with countryman Henry Roger Lopez in the second round, raised his total to 2.5 points, the same output of Israel Peligro and Alimzhan Ayapov of Kazakhstan.

” I hope to perform well in this event and gain some Elo rating points'” said Bernardo, who hails from Pampanga.

Peligro toppled Axadxon Kimsanboyev of Uzbekistan then halving the point with Ayapov, respectively. Ayapov, earlier dismantled Menandro Redor.

Lopez posted his second straight draw by splitting the point with Arman Subaste.

Thus, Lopez led the huge group of two pointers that included Kimsanboyev, FM Sirojiddin Zaynidinov of Uzbekistan, Subaste, Azizbek Safarov of Uzbekistan.

In the women’s division, Kyla Jane Langue and Thi Hong Nguyen of Vietnam defeated their respective rivals to share top slot with 3.0 points apiece.

Langue toppled Ma. Katrina Mangawang in Round 3 while Thi subdued Cheyzer Crystal Mendoza. Langue also beat Natalya Gorokhova of Kazakhstan in Round 2 while Thi dealt Aiganym Kambarova of Kazakhstan.

The event is organized by the Tagaytay Chess Club in cooperation with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and Philippine Para Chess Association under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE.

At stake are Direct FIDE Titles and trophies for champions and medals for the top three in each category, including visually , physically, and hearing impaired divisions.

Iran, Kazakhstan, China Top 27th Asian Youth Blitz Chess Championship

Different groups of children won the blitz event as Iran tallied 3-1-0 gold, silver and bronze medals followed by Kazakhstan and China in a tie with 2-1-1 slates. After a gruelling 9 rounds of Standard competition, the children were still eager to compete in blitz in the last day of the tournament on 29th November 2025.

The final canto of the Asian Youth Chess Championships came in the form of the always-exciting Blitz Event (3 minutes plus 2 seconds increment), and what a thrilling curtain call it was! After days of intense calculation, quiet tension, and rapid-fire moves, the championships ended with pieces flying and clocks mercilessly ticking… a fitting finale to a truly fierce battle of young minds from across Asia.

When the dust settled, Iran stood tall at the top of the medal table, stamping its class with an impressive 3-1 haul of gold and silver. Kazakhstan and China followed closely behind, sharing second and third places with identical 2-1-1 finishes… proof of just how razor-thin the margins were in this lightning-fast showdown.

Beaming with pride, Thailand Chess Association President Sahapol Nakvanich praised the success of the event and the overwhelming support it received. “The huge turnout motivated us even more to continue hosting events of this magnitude – and even bigger ones in the days ahead,” said the jubilant Mr. Sahapol.
And with that, the chessboards may be packed away for now, but the memories – and the sparks of future champions… will surely linger.

Favorites Share Early Lead in Asian Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities

By Marlon Bernardino

Darry Bernardo, Menandro Redor, Henry Roger Lopez, Arman Subaste and Israel Peligro got off to a blazing start by posting victories in the opening round of the 3rd Asian Chess Championship 2025 for players with disabilities which started 2nd December 2025 in Tagaytay City, Philippines.

Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings.

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Number one seed Bernardo toppled Francis Ching, Redor outclassed Bobur Dustmurodov of Uzbekistan, Lopez waylaid Shreesh Kulkarni of India, Subaste crushed Anthony Abogado while Peligro subdued Altheo Nazareno.

Number two seed Alimzhan Ayapov of Kazakhstan defeated Van Viet Le of Vietnam, spearheading foreign counterparts and setting his sights on another chess title before the yearend.

Other notable winners were

Axadxon Kimsanboyev of Uzbekistan who beat Rodolfo Sarmiento, FM Sirojiddin Zaynidinov of Uzbekistan, winner over Cecilio Bilog while Erlan Nurhayev of Kazakhstan who edged John Franz De Asis.

At stake are Direct FIDE Titles and trophies for champions and medals for the top three in each category, including visually, physically, and hearing impaired divisions.

“So far, so good,” said Bernardo, former varsity chess player of Far Eastern University.

In the women’s play, top seed Cheyzer Crystal Mendoza , Cheryl Angot, Ma. Katrina Mangawang and Kyla Jane Langue won their first round assignments.

Mendoza nipped Natalya Gorokhova of Kazakhstan, Angot trounced Maria Teresa Bilog, Mangawang beat Corazon Luzero and Langue dealt Charmaine Tonic a loss.

Meanwhile , Thi Huong Pham, Ngoc Loan Tran and Thi Hoang Nguyen of Vietnam, Siripimon Sakchai of Thailand and Aiganym Kambarova of Kazakhstan toppled their respective opponents.-Marlon Bernardino-

3rd Asian Chess Championship for Players With Disabilities Starts in Philippines

The 3rd Asian Chess Championships for Players with Disabilities have started in Tagaytay City, Philippines. A total of 37 players are competing from six countries, namely India, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The tournament is hosted by the Tagaytay City Chess Club in cooperation with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and under the auspices of FIDE and the Asian Chess Federation.

Participating are three categories of

Visual Impairment: (men and women with disabilities with full or visually impaired (legally considered to be blind);
Physical Impairment: (men and women with disabilities with a lesion of the musculoskeletal system and others with physical disabilities);
Hearing Impairment: Category B (men and women with disabilities with full or weakened hearing loss (legally considered to be deaf).

Championships shall be played in separate categories for Men & Juniors and for Women & Girls.

Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings and to download games.

2025 FIDE World Cup comes to a close

The closing ceremony of the 2025 FIDE World Cup was hosted in the playing hall at Resort Rio this evening, bringing to an end nearly a month of elite chess and marking the final chapter of one of the world’s most demanding knockout events.

The hall was filled with players, officials, dignitaries, and guests as the celebrations began, blending formal recognition with performances, speeches, and moments honouring the champions of this year’s competition. Charismatic presenters Ash Chandler and Rebekah Watkins opened the ceremony, reflecting on a tournament that brought together 206 players from more than 80 countries. They described Goa as the “heartbeat of the chess world” for the past several weeks, setting the tone for an evening of gratitude, recognition, and celebration.

The audience stood first for the Indian National Anthem, followed by the FIDE Anthem, after which dignitaries were welcomed with a bouquet presentation led by Dr Ajay R. Gaude, Director of Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Goa. The guests of honour included Chief Minister of Goa Dr Pramod Sawant, FIDE Deputy President Viswanathan Anand, AICF President Nitin Narang, and FIDE Secretary General Lukasz Turlej.

A tournament highlights film followed, capturing decisive upsets, tiebreak drama, brilliant comebacks, and the raw emotion that defined this World Cup. After being here for so long and feeling worlds away from the early rounds, the video served as a reminder of how far the event had come and of the many top players who travelled to Goa to compete. As the hosts put it, it was “like reliving the entire World Cup all over again.”

The film set the stage for the first major address of the evening by AICF President Shri Nitin Narang, who spoke about how the World Cup came to Goa and praised the collective effort behind this successful edition.

He shared a short but fitting story:

“There was once a young player who lost so often that he began noting down every mistake in a tiny notebook. One day someone asked him, ‘How do you stay motivated despite losing so much?’ He smiled and said, ‘I am not losing, I am collecting data on how winning works.’

That is the spirit of chess. That is the spirit of this World Cup. Every move, every mistake, every comeback – all of it becomes the epic story of how champions are built.”

Keeping the momentum high, lantern dancers then took to the stage with a mesmerising performance. Adorned with candles balanced on their heads, they danced, lifted one another, and moved in synchrony, a striking spectacle.

This was followed by a keynote address from five-time World Champion, Indian chess icon, and FIDE Deputy President Viswanathan Anand, who thanked the AICF and Government of Goa, spoke about the difficulty of the knockout format, India’s rise as a global chess hub, and congratulated the three new Candidates qualifiers.

He also shared a personal reflection:

“Hosting the World Cup here is deeply symbolic for me. I remember how it was when I started my path to a Grandmaster title. When I became the country’s first Grandmaster in 1988, it was a major moment, but also the beginning of a long road built by those who love chess and believe in the potential of India. Look around the country now. Chess is no longer an isolated pursuit. It is a mass sport with growing passion. What we see today is a beautiful culmination of that journey and I feel blessed to be part of it. This World Cup, staged with excellence and true love for chess, has shown to the entire world that India is not just the ancient home of chess or its current leader, but that it is determined to be its future.”

Next, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa Dr Pramod Sawant addressed the audience, highlighting Goa’s rising profile as an international sporting destination.

He noted that when he first took office he saw Goa mainly as a tourist hub, but the state has since shown that it is much more, and hosting one of the flagship events in chess has reinforced its status as a leading venue for sport.

A live sand-art performance by renowned artist Rahul Arya then took viewers on a narrated visual journey of chess, or “chaturanga,” and the paths of the players who fought through this World Cup.

The highlight of the evening followed as the award ceremony took centre stage. Ceremony dignitaries first joined the stage as they would present the players with their awards.

Bronze medalist Andrey Esipenko was the first to receive his medal, followed by Wei Yi, and finally the new FIDE World Cup Champion, Javokhir Sindarov, who was presented with the gold medal and the Viswanathan Anand Trophy. Golden streamers then burst onto the stage, highlighting the sense of victory even more.

The national anthem of Uzbekistan played in the hall before a special surprise video was screened for the champion, featuring a congratulatory message from the President of Uzbekistan to the young star.

He was then handed the microphone for his own short victory speech, in which he spoke about his long and fortunate connection with India, recalling that he first played here at the age of seven, winning the Under-7 Asian Championships, and later returned for the 2022 FIDE Olympiad in Chennai. Above all, he repeated how genuinely happy he felt in this moment.

The ceremony concluded with final remarks from the hosts, after which FIDE Deputy President Viswanathan Anand returned to the podium to formally declare the FIDE World Cup 2025 closed.

As the lights dimmed and guests moved toward the poolside gala dinner, the celebrations marked the end of a World Cup that delivered unforgettable games, rising stars, and the crowning of three new Candidates.

Written by WIM Charlize van Zyl (Goa, India)

Photos: Michal Walusza

From Goodnight Goa – 2025 FIDE World Cup comes to a close – International Chess Federation

Tagaytay Hosts 3rd Asian Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities 2025

All eyes are on IPCA World Online FIDE Master Sander Severino of the Philippines when the 3rd Asian Chess Championship 2025 for Players with Disabilities gets underway on December 1–8 , 2025 at the newly-built Character Hotel in Tagaytay City.

Joining Severino in the Philippine delegation are 2023 Asian Para Games gold medalist Atty. Cheyzer Mendoza, NM Henry Roger Lopez, NM Dary Bernardo, NM Arman Subaste, NM Felix Aguilera among others.

This prestigious six-nation event will feature men, women, juniors, and girls with disabilities from FIDE Zones 3.1 to 3.8.

The foreign challenge comes from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, India, and Thailand, promising a high-level competition across all categories.

At stake are Direct FIDE titles and trophies for champions and medals for the top three in each category, including visually, physically, and hearing impaired divisions.

-Marlon Bernardino-

Team Awards Asian Youth Chess Championship Standard

To encourage team work among players from each country, team medals were awarded per category based on the total score of the top three players of a federation. Federations with fewer than three players were not be eligible for a team award. In case of any tie, the tie-break scores of each player were considered.

FIDE players, China, Vietnam Top Asian Youth Chess Championship Standard

The players under the neutral FIDE flag won best overall with two golds, two silver and two bronze medals followed by China and Vietnam in the Asian Youth Chess Championships held 20-30 November 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand. The record breaking event was organized by the Thailand Chess Association under the auspices of FIDE and the Asian Chess Federation. Awarding overall trophies above are, from left, Chief Arbiter K.K. Chan, ACF Deputy President Bharat Singh and Thailand Chess Association President Sahapol Nakvanich.

Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and to download scoresheets.

ACF Holds FIDE International Organizers’ Seminar

As part of the Asian Chess Federation’s continuous efforts to qualify and develop organizational staff across Asia and neigboring regions, the ACF held a FIDE Organizers Seminar from 27 to 31 October 2025, with the participation of 21 attendees from 15 Asian and African countries namely AUS, BRN, CHN, GUM, HKG, IND, KAZ, KGZ, MAC, MGL, PAK, RSA, TPE, UZB and ZIM.

The seminar was conducted under the ACF Development Program, supported by the FIDE Development Commission aiming to enhance the standards and professionalism of chess event organizers in Asia.

The Lecturers were Mr. Ozgur Solakoglu – Honorary Chairman / Chief Events Inspection Officer, Mr. Casto Abundo – ACF Executive Director, Mr. Abdulrahim Mahdi, Chairman of the ACF Arbiters’ Commission and Mr. Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh – Secretary, ACF Arbiters Commission.

Al Ain Chess Club Celebrates Thanksgiving in a Family-Friendly Atmosphere with Distinguished International Guests

In a refined and unprecedented social initiative, Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club organized a special celebration on the occasion of Thanksgiving, which falls on the last Thursday of November in the United States. The event was held at Danat Al Ain Resort, bringing together the Club’s strategic partners and their families from the American community, as well as the parents of American players enrolled in the Club’s Academy.

The celebration was organized as part of the Club’s commitment to strengthening human and social ties with its partners, and in appreciation of the American families who form an essential part of the Club’s community—reflecting the cultural diversity and family values the Club is keen to uphold.

Distinguished International Attendance

The event was attended by Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich, President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), who expressed his pleasure in taking part.

Dvorkovich thanked Al Ain Chess Club for its social initiative, which he described as “a beautiful bridge connecting sport, culture, and families from different nationalities.”

Attendance from Kanad Hospital… and the Founder’s Son Praises the Initiative

The celebration was also attended by Dr. Scott Kennedy, representing Kanad Hospital and son of the hospital’s late founder. In his remarks, he expressed his admiration for the initiative, saying:

> “This celebration is unprecedented and unexpected, and reflects the high level of care and human values that Al Ain Chess Club extends to its partners and their families.”

He added that such initiatives strengthen the sense of belonging among American families within the warm and welcoming community of Al Ain.

Club Leadership… A Renewed Vision and Continued Excellence

The luncheon was attended by Mr. Hisham Al Taher, Managing Director and CEO of Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club, who affirmed that the celebration aligns with the Club’s vision of building a cohesive community that unites families, athletes, and partners under one umbrella.
He added:

> “Al Ain Chess Club is always keen to launch distinctive initiatives that enhance social relations and affirm the Club’s leadership in institutional and humanitarian work, while also reinforcing its vision as a global community-focused sports organization.”

A Warm Family Atmosphere Bringing Together Values and Cultures

The celebration featured a warm, family-friendly atmosphere, with parents, players, and guests participating in a friendly gathering that blended sport, culture, and the spirit of gratitude. Participants expressed their appreciation for the Club’s initiative, describing it as “a refined gesture” and “a reflection of the leadership that distinguishes Al Ain Chess Club.”

The event concluded with the exchange of greetings and the capturing of commemorative photos—an evening that brought together the Club’s community, families, and partners in a scene that embodied diversity, mutual respect, and the human-centered values championed by Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club.