Thailand Open Championships 12-19 April 2015 • Dusit Thani Pattaya

www•BangkokChess•comA Contents

Introduction...... 1

Gold Sponsors...... 2

Silver Sponsors...... 5

Tournament Organisation...... 6

BCC Open Champions...... 8

BCC Open Press Office...... 10

The Tournament

15th BCC Open...... 16

BCC Challenger 2015...... 19

BCC Open Blitz Championship...... 21

prize Giving and Closing Ceremony...... 23

The Chess Players

Titled Players...... 25 amazing Junior Players...... 26 15th Bangkok Chess Club Open 2015 Beauty in Chess...... 29

united Nations of Chess...... 30 he 15th Bangkok Chess Club Open has seen the Open Chess Championships Ttournament grow from its humble origins in 2000 With cooperation from the Thailand Chess Association, Thailand’s Talented Chess Players...... 33 to become one of the most respected open chess the tournament was also officially the Thailand Open

PR tournaments in the world. This year, over 300 players Chess Championships 2015. Taking place again in the came to Pattaya from 43 different countries to compete spacious ballroom of the Dusit Thani Pattaya, the scene VIP Drinks & Dinner...... 34 in the Open, the Challenger and the Blitz tournaments. was set for a thrilling event. Fishy Business...... 36 Four former champions joined us: GM , GM and GM Francisco Vallejo Worldwide live broadcast Media Pons competed, while GM Ian With 24 Grandmasters, the professional elite of the Bangkok Chess Club Website...... 38 Rogers was there to report for chess world, the tournament was one of the strongest the chess press. ever held in Southeast Asia, and was followed by chess asian Websites...... 40 But they were none of fans around the world on live internet broadcast. international Websites...... 42 them favourites to win, as Best in the world Appendices the very highly rated player, Hao from was Eventual winner and second time BCC Open Collateral Material...... 46 the number one seed. Champion, British Nigel Short came from Visibility for Sponsors...... 48 Right from the outset, his home in Greece for the sixth time, before heading competition was fierce, and to the USA for an exhibition match with former World Final Standings - Open...... 51 up until the final round, Champion, Garry Kasparov. “Bangkok Chess Club’s open Final Standings - Challenger...... 54 the outcome was far from tournaments are the best in the world for amateur players,” clear… the Champion proclaimed. Final Standings - Blitz...... 56

B 1 Gold Sponsors

PYN Fund Management Ltd

PYN Fund Management Ltd is an independent fund management company licensed by the Finnish Government to engage in mutual fund activity and which is entered in the Finnish Trade Register. It is owned by the company’s executive management. PYN Elite seeks significant value increases through active portfolio management, focusing on individual companies and markets. Mutual Fund Elite seeks a clearly higher return than equity funds with diversified global portfolios. Website: www.PYN.fi

The Tourism Authority of Thailand

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) was established on the 18th March 1960. TAT was the first organisation in Thailand to be specifically responsible for the promotion of tourism. TAT supplies information and data on tourist areas to the public, publi- cizes Thailand with the intention of encouraging both Thai and international tourists to travel in and around Thailand, conducts studies to set devel- opment plans for tourist destinations, and co-operates with and supports the production and development of personnel in the field of tourism. Since the inception of the first local office of TAT in Chiang Mai in 1968, there are now 35 regional offices throughout Thailand. TAT has also estab- lished many overseas offices the first being in New York, which was opened in 1965. During the past 30 years, TAT has since established 15 more offices in different parts of the world. Website: www.tourismthailand.org

The Dusit Thani Pattaya

Dusit Thani Pattaya offers Thai luxury and hospitality in the heart of one of Thailand’s prominent beach resort destinations. This five star hotel is conven- iently located near the shopping and dining venues of Pattaya City, but its enviable location on the northern end of the majestically curving Gulf of Thailand with direct access to two beach fronts, truly sets it apart. Situated amidst a tropical garden and boasting stunning panoramic views over Pattaya Bay, this luxury hotel offers the perfect beach getaway for all types of travellers.. Website: www.dusit.com

2 3 Gold Sponsors (continued)

ThaiBev

Thai Beverage Public Company Limited was established in 2003 with an aim to consolidate its leading spirits and beer businesses in Thailand, which belonged to shareholders and other investors, into a group company. In 2006, ThaiBev registered its listing on the Singapore Exchange (“SGX”) and afterwards, expanded to the non-alcohol and food businesses in order to diversify its product portfolio, enhance the logistics efficiency, and mitigate business risks. Presently, ThaiBev is not only the leading beverage producer in Thailand, but also one of the largest beverage producers in Asia. Their business consists of 4 segments: spirits, beer, non- alcohol beverages and food. Website: www.thaibev.com

Univentures

Univentures Public Company Limited (UV) was founded and registered on 13th August 1980, with the initial objective of operating the business of producing zinc oxide products under the trade name picture of “CRUCIBLE”. The Company was listed in the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 1988. In 2006, the Company was approved by the Stock Exchange of Thailand to shift the business from Petrochemicals and Chemicals Sector to be traded under Property Development Sector. Website: www.univentures.co.th Silver Sponsors

Chess4Thai

Chess promoter, organiser and school, encouraging the development of chess in Thailand especially in young people. Website: www.chess4thai.info

A PA I R K Jirapak Chess Academy J

C

Y JCA endeavours to promote increased knowledge and understanding of the H E M S E S D game of chess for every individual as an art and as an intellectual sport. A C A Website: www.jirapakchess.com

Jipata

The leader of events and activities t-shirts. Website: www.jipata.co.th

4 5 Tournament Organisation

This stellar tournament would not be possible without the dedication of our hard-working volunteers, bringing a range of different skills to the table: ppTournament Director: IO Kai Tuorila pp Deputy Tournament Director: Peter Darby pp Chief Arbiter: IA Markku Kosonen pp Deputy Chief Arbiter: IA Panupand Vijjuprabha, IA Maung Maung Lwin ppArbiters: IA Peter Long, FA Patcharawee Brahmawong, NA Jasmin Nisban, NA Tan Tian Wah, Prakarn Klubwong, Jurairat Bhupisetsak ppTournament Officers: Bruce Bell, Jakkraphon Saengsrijan, Natta Khunawutvanit, Pimolpun Tuorila, Worawong Pattanawong, Pranee Jaita pp Pairings Officer: NA Poompong Wiwatanadate pp Press Officers: GM Ian Rogers, GM Gerhard Schebler pp Photographers: WFM Cathy Rogers, Panupand Vijjuprabha The tournament was fortunate to have many other able assistants for the tasks needed, too numerous to name individually.

Bangkok Chess Club (BCC)

When IO Kai Tuorila settled in Thailand, there was nowhere to indulge his passion for chess – so he founded the Bangkok Chess Club, which used to meet weekly in a small pub owned by a fellow Finn. Over the years the club has grown and, with the organisation of the annual Bangkok Chess Club Open, has become well known to many around the world. This year’s tournament was the 15th International Open organised by the BCC team. Website: www.BangkokChess.com

The Thailand Chess Association (TCA)

The TCA is the official Sport Association under the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), presided over by Kittiratt Na-Ranong. Website: www.thailandchess.or.th

6 7 Bangkok Chess Club Open Champions

Tournament Venue Winners Country 1st Open Amari Orchid Resort 1. IM Tejas Bakre Pattaya 2002 2. IM Rahul Shetty India 3. IM Chris Baker England

2nd Open Novotel Siam Square 1. GM Ruslan Pogorelov Ukraine Bangkok 2003 2. IM Richard Polaczek Belgium 3. FM Banjuab Jiravorasuk Thailand

3rd Open Amari Orchid Resort 1. GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. Philippines Pattaya 2003 2. GM Alexei Barsov Uzbekistan 3. GM Ruslan Pogorelov Ukraine

4th Open Novotel Siam Square 1. GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. Philippines Bangkok 2004 2. GM Ian Rogers 3. FM Colm Daly Ireland

5th Open Regent Cha-Am 1. GM Ian Rogers Australia Petchaburi 2005 2. GM Eugenio Torre Philippines 3. GM Singapore

6th Open Century Park Hotel 1. GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. Philippines Bangkok 2006 2. FM Rico Salimbagat Philippines 3. IM Chandrashekhar Gokhale India

7th Open Phuket Graceland Resort & Spa 1. IM Australia Phuket 2007 2. GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. Philippines 3. GM Ian Rogers Australia

8th Open Century Park Hotel 1. Xiu Deshun China Bangkok 2008 2. Zhang Ziyang China 3. GM Li Shilong China

9th Open Aisawan Resort & Spa 1. Xiu Deshun China Pattaya 2009 2. GM Elshan Moradiabadi 3. GM Nigel Short England

10th Open Century Park Hotel 1. GM Sune Berg Hansen Denmark Bangkok 2010 2. GM Nigel Short England 3. IM Mokal Prathamesh Sunil India

11th Open Dusit Thani Pattaya 1. GM Jan Gustafsson Germany Pattaya 2011 2. GM Nigel Short England 3. GM Spain

12th Open Dusit Thani Bangkok 1. GM Nigel Short England Bangkok 2012 2. GM Farrukh Amonatov Tajikistan 3. IM Nguyen Duc Hoa Vietnam

13th Open Dusit Thani Pattaya 1. GM Zhao Zong-Yuan Australia Pattaya 2013 2. IM Wan Yunguo China Clockwise from top left: 3. GM Jan Gustafsson Germany pp GM Ian Rogers, Australia’s first Grandmaster (5th Open, Regent Cha-Am) 14th Open Dusit Thani Bangkok 1. GM Francisco Vallejo Pons Spain Bangkok 2014 2. GM Oliver Barbosa Philippines pp GM Sune Berg Hansen, Danish Champion (10th Open, Century Park Hotel, Bangkok) 3. GM Jan Gustafsson Germany pp GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., Philippine Champion (7th Open, Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa)

15th Open Dusit Thani Pattaya 1. GM Nigel Short England pp GM Zhao Zong-Yuan, Australian Champion (13th Open, Dusit Thani Pattaya) Pattaya 2015 2. GM India ppXiu Deshun, China (8th and 9th Open, Century Park Hotel Bangkok, Aisawan Resort Pattaya) 3. GM Kamil Dragun Poland pp GM Jan Gustafsson, German Champion (11th Open, Dusit Thani Pattaya)

8 9 round – could not cope with Finnish Grandmaster Yrjo April 13 - Round 2 Rantanen, though the 22-year-old pushed the game to Top Seeds Tumble in Second 35 moves before she was forced to resign. The Thai Open, with a first prize of 100,000 Baht Round of Thailand Open Chess continues until April 19, with round 3 beginning at A remarkable morning round of the 15th Thai Open in 13.30 local time on Monday. Pattaya saw top seeds falling to young players, with two The tournament is free for spectators and includes BCC Open Press Office Grandmasters among the high profile casualties. a giant electronic demonstration board of the top Grandmaster Ian Rogers manned the BCC Open Press Office, providing daily press releases sent to all the major A 20th Grandmaster was added to the record- games. chess media. WFM Cathy Rogers was always ready with her camera to provide the vital images. breaking tournament at the Dusit Thani Resort but almost immediately the chess elite were challenged. April 13 - Round 3 First Grandmaster to fall was Filipino John-Paul 10 Lead Thailand Open Chess Gomez who was demolished by Australian teenager A pack of ten players, including 8 of the tournament’s Jack Puccini in only 19 moves. April 12 - Round 1 Tommy Ilmoni before a faulty attempt to finish the 20 Grandmasters, lead with a perfect score after three Gomez was followed by Allan Stig Rasmussen, Top Seeds Cruise in First Round game quickly allowed the Grandmaster to turn the rounds of the Thai Chess Open in Pattaya. the Danish Grandmaster losing to Sharma Hemant, the tables. The ten include the top four seeds, who have of Thailand Open Chess 22-year-old Indian showing great poise to outplay his The only Grandmaster to falter in the first round achieved 3/3 with a minimum of fuss while many of A record 19 Grandmasters assembled in Pattaya on higher ranked rival. was Poland’s Kamil Dragun who drew with India’s their Grandmaster peers have struggled. Sunday for the 15th Thai Chess Open and showed Australia’s Max Illingworth, the 14th seed, was unheralded Dhanabir Singh. Veteran Singaporean Grandmaster Wong Meng why they had achieved their status with a near-perfect shocked by 13-year-old R. Vaishali, the Indian girl Thai fans had plenty to cheer about as the top two Kong had the worst possible Monday, losing to Indian 18.5/19 start. currently ranked as the second strongest for her age Thai players in the tournament, Uaychai Kongsee and GM in the morning round and Thailand’s largest and strongest open tournament, in the world. Wisuwat Teerapabpaisit – both former Thai Champions then being upset by Iceland’s lowly ranked Gunnar organised by the Bangkok Chess Club features world The six highest ranked Grandmasters, including – won their first games convincingly. Runarsson in the second game of the day. class players such as former World Championship top seeded Chinese star , all progressed The 2015 Thai Open, a 9 round tournament with The biggest positive surprise of the tournament has challenger Nigel Short and top seeded Chinese Grand- safely to the third round with a 100% score. a first prize of 100,000 Baht, is being played at the been the performance of India’s Parab Ritviz. Seeded master Wang Hao in a field of 190. Thailand’s best had a difficult day, with Uaychai Dusit Thani Resort and continues until April 19, with only 82nd, 15-year-old Ritviz has already beaten two Short was the first Grandmaster to finish, beating Kongsee and Wisuwat Teerapabpaisit meeting world round 2 beginning at 9am local time on Monday. of the top 30 seeds to move to 3/3 and challenge the Filipino amateur Jude Ulanday with a slashing attack in class opposition and falling to Grandmasters Jan Games may be followed live via chess24.com Grandmasters. just 20 moves. Gustafsson and Joszef Horvath respectively. with results at http://chess-results.com/tnr169298. Thailand has many players just a point behind the In contrast, leading Indian Grandmaster Surya In addition, Thai Olympian Ruja Phitchayarom aspx?lan=1 and full details about the tournament at leaders best including local star Uaychai Kongsee. Ganguly was on the brink of defeat against Finland’s – who scored the biggest upset victory of the first http://bangkokchess.com/ The Thai Open, with a first prize of 100,000 Baht

10 11 continues until April 19 at the Dusit Thani Hotel, with The fifth round was also a good one for veterans round 3 beginning at 14.00 local time on Tuesday. Nigel Short and Eugene Torre, who both stayed within Spectators are welcome and may view the leading half a point of the leaders. Wang Hao perhaps slight favourite to pull away from games on a giant electronic demonstration board. section. The Open, organised by the Bangkok Chess However Thai players struggled to stay in touch the pack. India is the best represented nation at the top Games may be followed live via chess24.com with full Club and hosted at the Dusit Thani Hotel, continues with the race for first place, with Warot Kananub and with four of the 12 tournament leaders. results at chess-results.com until April 19. Uaychai Kongsee both losing and being joined on three With the top two boards finishing as draws, the Round 5 begins at 14.00 local time on Wednesday. points by Wisuwat Teerapabpaisit. These three players most significant result came on table three where April 14 - Round 4 Spectators are welcome and may view the leading will need to win all their remaining four games if they Poland’s Bartosz Socko put a dent in the title hopes Champion Crashes in Thai games on a giant electronic demonstration board. are to hope for a podium finish. of Filipino Oliver Dimakiling, though Dimakiling Open Chess The Thai Open, which continues until April 19, remains a chance to secure a Grandmaster in this features 299 players from 42 countries in two divisions, tournament. Former Thai Open Champion and ex-world title April 15 - Round 5 with a first prize of 100,000 Baht in the top section. Nigel Short, the 49-year-old Englishman who challenger Nigel Short crashed to defeat in the fourth Peleton of Five at Head of Thai The Open, is the first of two major chess events to be looked out of contention after his fourth round loss to round of the 15th Thai Open, in Pattaya on Tuesday. Open Chess held this year at the Dusit Thani Resort in Pattaya. Next Oliver Barbosa, has reacted with two consecutive wins. Short, 49, was beaten by Filipino Grandmaster Oliver Five Grandmasters have moved to the front of the month Pattaya will host the World Schools Individual On Thursday Short had few problems with Pattaya’s Barbosa in one of the tournament’s biggest upsets to Thai Open Chess Championship as the tournament, Championship. strongest player, Grandmaster Gerhard Schebler. date. being played at the Dusit Thani Resport in Pattaya, The World Schools Championship, complements Only one Thai player remained in contention for Barbosa’s win catapulted him to 4/4, sharing the passes the halfway mark. the related World Youth Championships (U/18 – U/8 the top prizes, Wisuwat Teerapabpaisit staying within lead with two world class Grandmasters, Paco Vallejo Two of the overnight leaders, Jan Gustafsson and divisions), with divisions from Under 17 to Under 7. a point of the leaders thanks to a fine sacrificial attack from Spain and Jan Gustafsson from Germany. Paco Vallejo, played out a speedy, friendly draw to Already almost 500 children have entered this compe- against Chinese talent Wang Jiaqi. Of the Thai female Short was not the only high ranking player to fail in maintain a share of the lead, and were soon joined at the tition. players, Ruja Phitchayarom – seeded 187th from 194 a day of surprises. Top seed Wang Hao failed to covert a head of the field on 4.5/5 by Chinese top seed Wang players in the main event – continued her rise towards winning position against Hungary’s Joszef Horvath and Hao, now fully recovered from illness and showing top mid-field with a draw against a player ranked 62 places was held to his first draw. April 16 - Round 6 form in defeating giant-killer Oliver Barbosa. above her. Phitchayarom is now only half a point Seventh seed Kamil Dragun from Poland was Logjam at the Top of Thai Open While these players make up three of the four top behind Thai stars such as Warot Kananub and Uaychai beaten by Australia’s Junta Ikeda while fifth seed seeds, the fourth member of the leading pack was a Chess Kongsee. Bartosz Socko was held by another Aussie, 14-year-old surprise; the Philippines’ Oliver Dimakiling, seeded only With just three rounds to play, the name of the winner The Thai Open, which continues until April 19, Anton Smirnov in a 63 move marathon. 24th at the start of the tournament, defeated higher of the 2015 Thai Open in Pattaya remains a mystery. is organised by the Bangkok Chess Club. The 2015 Local hopes Warot Kananub and Uaychai Kongsee rated Indian International Master Diptayan Ghosh to With none of the pacesetters winning their edition features 299 players from 42 countries in two both stayed only a pijt behind the leaders, with take a share of the lead. games in Thursday’s sixth round at Thailand’s premier divisions, with a first prize of 100,000 Baht. Kananub scoring an unexpected win over Hungarian One more player reached the tie at the top, tournament, an incredible 12 players are now tied Round 7 of the Thai Open begins at 14.00 local FIDE Master Kristof Juhasz. Hungary’s Jozsef Horvath, though only after a titanic for first place. The leading group includes 10 Grand- time on Friday. Spectators are welcome and admission The Thai Open, features 299 players in two 75 move battle against Finland’s Tapani Sammalvuo. masters and two International Masters, with top seed is free. divisions, with a first prize of 100,000 Baht in the top

12 13 Master closer to his Grandmaster title - with an upset For Short the win was his second Thai Open title, April 17 - Round 7 April 18 - Round 8 win over Bartosz Socko. following his 2012 triumph In Bangkok. Short’s expecta- Top Seeds Break Away in Thai Wang Hao Sole Leader in Thai Thai hopes for a podium finish ended on Saturday tions were low after he lost in the fourth round to Filipino when Boonsueb Saeheng was held to a draw by Oliver Barbosa but the English veteran responded by Open Chess Open Chess Pattaya’s resident Grandmaster Gerhard Schebler of scoring 4.5 points from his final five games. Two players – China’s Wang Hao and Germany’s Jan Top seed Wang Hao took a huge step towards Germany. Saeheng retains hopes for a top ten finish, This would still not have been enough had Wang Gustafsson - have broken away from the pack and are becoming the 2015 Thai Open Champion by beating remarkable for a player seeded 69th at the start of the continued his winning ways, but Ganguly showed great now favourites to win the 2015 Thai Open in Pattaya. Germany’s Jan Gustafsson in the penultimate round of tournament. endgame skills to outplay the top seed, paving the way After an extended photo-shoot in the morning, Thailand’s biggest and richest tournament at the Dusit The final round of the Thai Open, begins at 9am for Short to take the title. Wang and Gustafsson might have been expected to be Thani Hotel Pattaya on Saturday. on Sunday at the Dusit Thani ballroom. Spectators are Thailand’s challenge for the top placings ended in tired but both won convincingly, the Chinese top seed With 380,000 Baht of prizes on the line on the welcome and admission is free. a whimper, Boonsueb Saeheng losing his final game to beating India’s with a powerful attack final day, nothing is certain, but the Chinese top seed India’s P. Kartikeyan but still taking the prize for best and fourth seeded Gustafsson grinding down Kunte’s has become the first outright leader of the tournament, April 19 - Final Round Thai player on tiebreak from Wisuwat Teerapabpaisit. compatriot Sharma Himanshu to join Wang on 6/7. with a score of 7/8, at the right end of the event. Nigel Short Wins 2015 Thai The Thai Open, organised by the Bangkok Chess The chasing pack, just half a point behind the Wang’s victory over Gustafsson came after 60 Club, attracted 299 players from 42 countries to the leaders, includes all other top seeds - Vallejo, Short, moves and almost five hours play, with Wang Hao Open Chess Championship Dusit Thani, one of Pattaya’s most luxurious resorts. Socko, Ganguly, Dragun and Horvath - with a winner using an original Duke of York strategy with his king to English Grandmaster Nigel Short is the 2015 Thai Open Next month the Dusit Thani will host almost twice as almost certain to come from the top two score groups. win the endgame. Champion after a nail-biting final round in which the top many players at the 2015 World Schools Championship. The Thai challenge continued from an unexpected Five players sit half a point behind Wang, including two seeds crashed to their only loss of the tournament. quarter with an upset win by Boonsueb Saeheng over the man who could pose the biggest threat to Wang, A large crowd at the Dusit Thani in Pattaya Indian International Master Somak Palit. 48-year-old ex-world title challenger Nigel Short. The Englishman watched top seed Wang Hao fall to Indian sixth seed Saeheng, seeded only 69th at the start of the ended Jozsef Horvath’s unbeaten run in the tournament Surya Ganguly in an exhausting 69 move encounter tournament, showed outstanding endgame technique with a long-term pawn sacrifice resulting eventually in where Wang spoiled an endgame which appeared to win a lengthy rook endgame and move to within a winning attack. headed for a draw. half a point of third place. Other players to reach six and a half points were Instead of tying for first and winning his first Thai The Thai Open, continues at the Dusit Thani Resort second seed Paco Vallejo, who ended Australian Max Open title, Wang dropped to fourth place, overtaken in Pattaya until Sunday April 19. The tournament is Illingworth’s hopes for earning a Grandmaster title in by Ganguly plus Short, who ground down Diptayan organised by the Bangkok Chess Club and the 2015 Pattaya, plus India’s Surya Ganguly, who fought back Ghosh, and Poland’s Kamil Dragun who upset second edition features 299 players from 42 countries in two to defeat compatriot Deepan Chakkravarthy. Poland’s seed Paco Vallejo. divisions, with a first prize of 100,000 Baht. Kamil Dragun won a long endgame against Dane Allan The top three players share 220,000 Baht, with Several magazines and newspapers featured the tournament, including an extensive spread in the The eighth and penultimate round of the Thai Open Rasmussen, and Diptayan Ghosh provided another Short edging out Ganguly for the title thanks to the German “Schachmagazin”. begins at 14.00 local time on Saturday. Indian success – and moved the Indian International strength of his opposition during the 9 day tournament.

14 15 15th Bangkok Chess Club Open The open tournament attracted players of all ages and abilities, from juniors to seniors, beginners to grandmasters, from all corners of the planet.

16 17 The Bangkok Chess Club Challenger 2015

With over a hundred players, the BCC Challenger is a popular secondary tournament. Many juniors seek their first official chess rating, and some strong international players compete for the first prize. 18 19 BCC Open Blitz Championship 2015 Grandmaster Wang Hao shows devastating form to win the 15th BCC blitz championship

ach year, alongside the main Challenger and Open two of our members reach the final, FM Deniel Causo Etournaments, the Bangkok Chess Club also runs and Arnulfo Gavilan Jr. a winner-takes-all Blitz Championship. The games are The Chinese top seed did not disappoint, winning played at great speed, with each game taking less than all 13 games of the first session, and scoring an ten minutes. incredible 14/15 in the final. The tournament is run The winners were: over two days, in the evenings pp 1. GM Wang Hao (China) 14/15 after the long games are pp 2. GM Kamil Dragun (Poland) 11½/15 completed. On the first evening, players were pp 3. GM Oliver Barbosa (Philippines) 11/15 divided into eight groups of 14 players competing in a round robin for the opportunity to take part in the final, with the best two from each group going through. Top players in the Open tournament are usually too concentrated on their preparations to take part, but this year five grandmasters competed in the final, including the hot tournament favourite, Wang Hao. Defending Champion and two-time winner, Oliver Barbosa was also taking part. Bangkok Chess Club was pleased to see

20 21 Prize Giving and Closing Ceremony

As well as six trophies in the Open section, and three in the Challenger section, there are trophies and certificates for the Best Thai Players, Best Juniors and Best Lady. First prize is 100,000 Baht.

22 23 Titled Players at the 15th BCC Open 2015

Grandmaster Dragun Kamil came third after Grandmaster Bartosz Socko from Poland Grandmaster , trainer to the defeating Vallejo Pons in the final round Thai National Team

13th and 14th BCC Open Blitz Champion, 14th & 15th BCC Open Champions: Tournament favourite and BCC Open Blitz Grandmaster Oliver Barbosa of the Philippines GMs Francisco Vallejo Pons and Nigel Short Champion, Grandmaster Wang Hao of China

11th BCC Open Champion, Grandmaster Jan Grandmaster Wong Meng Kong from Grandmaster Surya Shekhar Ganguly shocked Gustafsson, presenter at Chess24.com Singapore top seed Wang Hao in the final round

IM Jack Puccini from Australia IM Ari Dale from Australia Hungarian Grandmaster Jozsef Horvath with Pattaya-based Grandmaster Gerhard Schebler FM Wisuwat Theerapabpaisit of Thailand faces GM Ganguly in the 5th round 24 25 Amazing Junior Players!

The future champions were amazingly focused and knowledgeable. Opposite: Cyrus Low is one of the rising stars in Singapore benefiting from their high level training programmes.

26 27 26 27 Beauty in Chess

28 29 United Nations of Chess With visitors from 43 countries, the 15th BCC Open was a truly international competition

Algeria Indonesia Philippines Australia India Poland Austria Iran Russia Belgium Italy Scotland Canada Singapore China Kyrgyzstan South Africa Denmark Korea Spain England Macedonia Sri Lanka Malaysia Finland Malta Sweden France Myanmar Thailand Germany Netherlands Taipei Hong Kong Nepal USA Hungary Norway Iceland Pakistan

30 31 Thailand’s Talented Chess Players

32 33 VIP Drinks and Dinner at Mantra Restaurant PYN Fund Management hosted drinks and dinner for 26 of our top players, in the outstanding Mantra Bar & Restaurant

Clockwise from top left: 1. GM Ian Rogers and GM Wang Hao; 2. Petri Derying with TCA President Kittaratt na-Ranong; 3. GM Bartosz Socko with Chief Arbiter Markku Kosonen; Above: Thai National Team Trainers, GM Vladimir 4. Kittiratt with Tournament Director Kai Tourila and FM Ignatius Lazarev and WGM Anda Safranska. Top right: FM Leong, Chairman of the ASEAN Chess Confederation; 5. the Wine Waiter; 6. Arbiters Bjørn Andersson with IA Panupand Vijjuprabha Maung Maung Lwin and Peter Long; 7. IM Tapani Sammalvuo with Kai Tuorila

34 35 Fishy Business Playing chess on a fisherman’s boat

From the top: 1. GM Wang Hao and Surya; 2. Catch of the Day; 3. GM Nigel Short with Jessica Bengtsson; 4. Ian Rogers brings Jessica Bengtsson a cocktail; 5. GM Paco Vallejo and IM Anton Smirnov; 6. GM Jan Gustafsson and Nina Tuorila. Opposite: Grandmaster Surya Ganguly tries fresh squid

36 37 Bangkok Chess Club Website

38 39 Asian Websites

Sun Star (Philippines)

Pattaya City (Thailand) Chess Travel Facebook page (Thailand) Thai-Finnish Chamber of Commerce Peter Long (Malaysia) (Thailand) 40 41 International Websites

Sydney Academy of Chess Chessdom (International)

The Week in Chess (UK) Chessbase (International)

42 43 International Websites (continued)

Twitter (International)

Chessexpress (International) Chess.com (USA)

Sakk-mester.blog (Hungary) chess24.com (live games)

44 45 Collateral Material

f Thailand Open Chess Championships 2015 15th Bangkok Chess Club Open attaYa, 12-19 aPril 2015 Dusit thani P

f Thailand Open Chess Championships 2015 15th Bangkok Chess Club Open This is toYa ,certify 12-19 aPthatril 2015 thani Patta Dusit acheived First Place This is to incertify the that Thailand Ehsan Open Chess Nikzaban Championship 2015 achieved Second Place in the

IO Kai Tuorila Thailand Open Chess ChampionshipsTournament 2015 Director IA Markku Kosonen Challenger Section Chief Arbiter

IO Kai Tuorila Tournament Director IA Markku Kosonen Chief Arbiter

To: Keisha Audrey Pedral

Email: [email protected]

Date: 4 April 2015

Dear Sir,

15th Bangkok Chess Club Open Chess Championships This letter is to extend you an invitation to participate in the 15th BCC Open 2015, and to confirm

Group: Open / Challenger ...... Date: ...... Round: ...... your registration for the chess tournament. White: ...... From: ...... The tournament will take place at the Dusit Thani Pattaya, from 12–19, April, 2015. It is advisable Black: ...... From: ...... Board: ...... to arrive one or two days in advance. White Black White Black White Black Please find attached details and regulations. We look forward to seeing you in Bangkok. 1 26 51 2 27 52 Yours faithfully, 3 28 53

4 29 54

5 30 55

6 31 56

7 32 57 8 33 58 Kai Tuorila, FIDE International Organiser 9 34 59 President, Bangkok Chess Club 10 35 60

11 36 61

12 37 62

13 38 63 14 39 64 Opposite page 15 40 65

16 41 66 17 42 67 Markku Kosonen 18 43 68 Chief Arbiter ppTournament Poster 19 44 69 c/o 58/84 Moo 1, Wandee Siam Bldg., Muang Thong Thani, Chaeng Wattana Road, Klong Klua, Pakkred, Nonthaburi 11120, Thailand 20 45 70 Tel: 081 815 2029 • Fax: 02 574 2877 • [email protected] • www.BangkokChess.com 21 46 p Result: pCertificates 22 47 23 48 White: This page Signature p 24 49 pInvitations Black: 25 50 ppTournament Passes ppTournament Wall ppScore Sheets Charts 46 47 Visibility for Sponsors

48 49 Final Standings – Open Tournament

Rank Name FED Rating Points Rank Name FED Rating Points 1 GM Short Nigel D ENG 2678 7½ 34 IM Ikeda Junta AUS 2403 5½

2 GM Ganguly Surya Shekhar IND 2619 7½ 35 WIM Frayna Janelle Mae PHI 2167 5½

3 GM Dragun Kamil POL 2576 7½ 36 FM Juhasz Kristof HUN 2393 5½

4 GM Wang Hao CHN 2713 7 37 FM Biag Ivan Gil PHI 2328 5½

5 GM Vallejo Pons Francisco ESP 2696 6½ 38 FM Terekhov Andrey RUS 2318 5½

6 GM Horvath Jozsef HUN 2522 6½ 39 Grafil Franz Robert PHI 2156 5½

7 GM Kunte Abhijit IND 2477 6½ 40 Severino Sander PHI 2355 5½

8 GM Barbosa Oliver PHI 2489 6½ 41 IM Ahlander Bjorn SWE 2372 5½

9 IM Ghosh Diptayan IND 2512 6½ 42 IM Dale Ari AUS 2321 5½

10 GM Gustafsson Jan GER 2639 6½ 43 IM Hagen Andreas Skytte DEN 2408 5½

11 GM Deepan Chakkravarthy IND 2475 6½ 44 Rohan Ahuja IND 2197 5½

12 IM S. Lyna Narayanan IND 2464 6½ 45 FM Sauravh Khherdekar IND 2191 5½

13 GM Gomez John Paul PHI 2520 6½ 46 Roy Prantik IND 2308 5½

14 IM Himanshu Sharma IND 2416 6½ 47 IM Stokke Kjetil NOR 2360 5½

15 IM Illingworth Max AUS 2489 6½ 48 IM Nyysti Sampsa FIN 2334 5½

16 IM Swapnil S. Dhopade IND 2446 6½ 49 Sadhu S Adithya IND 1822 5½

17 GM Rasmussen Allan Stig DEN 2507 6½ 50 FM Puccini Jack AUS 2265 5½

18 IM Karthikeyan P. IND 2443 6½ 51 FM Pitra Andika INA 2339 5½

19 FM Lorparizangeneh Shahin IRI 2319 6 52 IM Johansson Linus SWE 2398 5½

20 GM Torre Eugenio PHI 2460 6 53 FM Saeheng Boonsueb THA 2237 5½

21 GM Schebler Gerhard GER 2451 6 54 FM Teerapabpaisit Wisuwat THA 2266 5½

22 IM Bersamina Paulo PHI 2390 6 55 Drummond Matthew AUS 2238 5½

23 IM Smirnov Anton AUS 2410 6 56 Deepak Katiyar IND 2104 5½

24 GM Socko Bartosz POL 2628 6 57 Tuomala Timo FIN 2222 5½

25 IM Sammalvuo Tapani FIN 2450 6 58 WFM Varshini V IND 2159 5½

26 Dai Changren CHN 2275 6 59 FM Causo Deniel PHI 2305 5½

27 Ravi Teja S. IND 2405 6 60 Michelle Catherina P IND 2179 5

28 Krishna C.r.g. IND 2402 6 61 GM Laylo Darwin PHI 2496 5

29 IM Beikert Guenther Dr. GER 2428 6 62 IM Dimakiling Oliver PHI 2417 5

30 GM Gonzales Jayson PHI 2385 6 63 Asuela Ellan PHI 2280 5

31 Ritviz Parab IND 2188 5½ 64 Singh Y. Dhanabir IND 2104 5

32 Hemant Sharma IND 2248 5½ 65 Rajdeep Sarkar IND 2201 5

33 Liu Zhaoqi CHN 2053 5½ 66 Low Zhen Yu Cyrus SIN 2325 5

50 51 Final Standings – Open Tournament (continued)

Rank Name FED Rating Points Rank Name FED Rating Points Rank Name FED Rating Points Rank Name FED Rating Points 67 FM Reilly Tim AUS 2230 5 100 Steinbrecht Ralf GER 2198 4½ 133 Ulanday Jude PHI 0 4 166 Tumbos Eden PHI 1764 3

68 Rozycki Bartlomiej POL 2145 5 101 WIM Parnali S Dharia IND 2084 4½ 134 Tuorila Kai FIN 2068 4 167 Hng Emmanuelle SIN 1697 3

69 FM Kongsee Uaychai THA 2284 5 102 FM Ho Jei-Chen TPE 1976 4½ 135 Samaganova Alexandra KGZ 2018 4 168 Wongsawan Thoetsak THA 1822 3

70 Wang Jiaqi CHN 1910 5 103 Holming Patrick SWE 1973 4½ 136 Haveland Bjorn NOR 1900 4 169 Maneeratanasak Chanavuth THA 1817 3

71 GM Rantanen Yrjo A. FIN 2308 5 104 Harini S. IND 2102 4½ 137 Montgomery J. E. Frantsen DEN 2149 4 170 Liekens Ronny BEL 1856 3

72 GM Wong Meng Kong SIN 2261 5 105 FM W. Poompong THA 2099 4½ 138 Willnecker Olaf TPE 1836 4 171 Frederiksen Erik DEN 1941 3

73 Sanghera Parminder SCO 0 5 106 WIM Fronda Jan Jodilyn PHI 2132 4½ 139 FM Aschenbrenner Robert AUT 2230 3½ 172 Bunnag Bhon THA 1703 3

74 Gong Patrick AUS 1847 5 107 Niklesh Kumar Jain IND 1870 4½ 140 WFM Johari Camilia MAS 1864 3½ 173 Koivumaki Marko FIN 1814 3

75 Bitoon Jimson PHI 2215 5 108 Ilmoni Tommy FIN 2104 4½ 141 Runarsson Gunnar ISL 2005 3½ 174 A. Manunthon THA 1617 3

76 FM Praggnanandhaa R. IND 2220 5 109 Hoffman Ron NED 2107 4½ 142 FM Menkinoski Riste MKD 2334 3½ 175 WCM Phitchayarom Ruja THA 1588 2½

77 Alahakoon Isuru SRI 2 011 5 110 Davis Tony J AUS 1886 4½ 143 Chan Kim Yew MAS 1781 3½ 176 Darby Peter ENG 1870 2½

78 Peng Hongchi CHN 2060 5 111 Sollid Stein NOR 2050 4½ 144 Anant Prabhudesai IND 1776 3½ 177 Yothinnorratham Tepparit THA 1961 2½

79 Rapanot Alfredo PHI 0 5 112 Chakravarthy Y V K IND 1989 4 145 Lertwiram Apichat THA 1740 3½ 178 Karasmaki Seppo FIN 1804 2½

80 Chong Chor Yuen HKG 2014 5 113 Soumya Banerjee IND 1948 4 146 Jayaram R. IND 1968 3½ 179 Nakvanich Sahapol THA 1822 2½

81 Portugalera Ric PHI 2185 5 114 Adhithya S IND 2105 4 147 Kohtz Andreas GER 2013 3½ 180 Jumpathong Chayanon THA 1700 2½

82 Kivimaki Jaakko FIN 2144 5 115 Gotel Michael PHI 2242 4 148 Tobor Detlef GER 2096 3½ 181 Noel Nicolas FRA 1726 2½

83 WFM Vaishali R IND 2246 4½ 116 IM Sorensen Torben M LT 2334 4 149 Akharaboollasez Akharin THA 1905 3½ 182 Maouel Kamel ALG 1866 2½

84 IM Palit Somak IND 2415 4½ 117 CM Kananub Warot THA 2190 4 150 Frost Peter AUS 1816 3½ 183 Petchrongrusamee Pornpong THA 1762 2½

85 FM Andersson Bjorn SWE 2319 4½ 118 FM Patuzzo Fabrizio SUI 2334 4 151 Vinay Kurth Koti IND 1987 3½ 184 Srivatanakul Pricha THA 1635 2½

86 WFM Derakhshani Dorsa IRI 2195 4½ 119 Verdun Xavier John PHI 2270 4 152 Markovitz Neil AUS 2032 3½ 185 Traunwieser Georg AUT 2116 2

87 FM Bartel Michal POL 2354 4½ 120 Khumnorkaew Tupfah THA 1935 4 153 Sandberg Martin SWE 1852 3½ 186 Trinkl Andreas GER 1808 2

88 IM West Guy AUS 2340 4½ 121 Bashirinia Omid IRI 1972 4 154 Karmukilan S IND 1808 3½ 187 Piona Marco SUI 1898 2

89 WFM Assaubayeva Bibissara KAZ 1964 4½ 122 A. Razavi Seyed Shaahin IRI 1928 4 155 Yutithamnon Surapole THA 1956 3½ 188 Tan Fischer SIN 1434 2

90 Sandhiratne Akkarawut THA 1744 4½ 123 Sivara Poompat THA 2001 4 156 Ting Marvin PHI 1972 3½ 189 Lie Terje NOR 1603 2

91 Watharow Sean AUS 1876 4½ 124 Sie Thu MYA 2242 4 157 CM Norris Damian C FIJ 2027 3½ 190 Cheah Kah Hoe MAS 1491 2

92 FM Castellano Christopher PHI 2260 4½ 125 Toh Joseph MAS 2189 4 158 WCM A. Worasuda THA 1721 3½ 191 Kellermann Franz GER 0 1½

93 GM Lazarev Vladimir FRA 2370 4½ 126 Bengtsson Jessica SWE 2012 4 159 Schemm Michael A USA 2039 3 192 Varun Yeri IND 0 1½

94 WFM Monnisha Gk IND 2053 4½ 127 CM Jurgensen Graham RSA 2074 4 160 A. Jaradpong THA 2010 3 193 Asavayutphol Pattarapong THA 1367 1

95 Griffiths Paul V ENG 2155 4½ 128 Borigas Edgardo HKG 1871 4 161 WCM T. Chanida THA 1791 3 194 Petchoom Sakchai THA 0 ½

96 Phadke Sohan IND 2137 4½ 129 Ecot Lourecel PHI 0 4 162 Ingason Sigurdur ISL 1826 3

97 WGM Safranska Anda FRA 2136 4½ 130 Cuizon Loreshyl PHI 2049 4 163 Fendel Harald GER 0 3

98 Kienitz Andre GER 2098 4½ 131 Lim Kian Hwa MAS 1800 4 164 Omar Asrul Sharaff MAS 2148 3

99 Halldorsson Jon Arni ISL 2158 4½ 132 Pheephacharakan Pinatpong THA 1647 4 165 Atthaworadej Woradej THA 1758 3

52 53 Final Standings – Challengers

Rank Name FED Rating Points Rank Name FED Rating Points Rank Name FED Rating Points Rank Name FED Rating Points 1 Doostkam P IRI 2063 6 31 Kasetchol Sathit THA 2071 4 61 Manukonda Arun IND 1836 3 91 Keysener Philippe SUI 1763 2

2 Nikzaban Ehsan IRI 2017 6 32 Peligros Rhenell PHI 0 4 62 Cautiero Pietro ITA 1664 3 92 Gotel Matthew Gunnar PHI 0 2

3 Lama Surbir NEP 2051 6 33 Williams Michael USA 1923 4 63 Rishita Sinha IND 119 6 3 93 Laohawirapap Prin THA 0 2

4 Vinod G. IND 2018 6 34 Chod Bernd GER 0 4 64 Au Yeung Chi Hung Jonathan SIN 0 3 94 Simawit Tirasak THA 0 2

5 Lumidao Mervin PHI 2097 5½ 35 Nisban Cyrus SIN 1747 4 65 Priye Bikram NEP 1730 3 95 Nihar Ranjan Banerjee IND 1660 1½

6 Tan Roly L. PHI 0 5½ 36 Ruston Mark R ENG 2034 4 66 Jago Stephen AUS 1673 3 96 Phaireekayard Thanita THA 0 1½

7 Goh Sean Christian SIN 1625 5½ 37 Kuich Gero SUI 1752 4 67 Nitin IND 1696 3 97 Jaideep Kashyap IND 0 1½

8 Vishnu Devyadav IND 1831 5½ 38 Brown Geoffrey M ENG 0 4 68 Dale Simon AUS 1416 3 98 Ankita Brahmachari IND 0 1

9 Hu Shengjie CHN 0 5 39 Haraldsson Oskar ISL 1770 4 69 Goh Ethan SIN 1398 3 99 Chaiongkarn Bunyapon THA 0 1

10 Shankar Kuldeep IND 1657 5 40 Sajjapornthep Jarunpol THA 1802 4 70 Chotitada Sivawong THA 1734 3 100 Pathak Yash IND 0 1

11 Chakrabarti Tamal IND 1909 5 41 Severino Alan PHI 0 4 71 Rangkaew Katunchalee THA 0 3 101 Rajdeep Brahmachari IND 0 1

12 Camposano Agrifino PHI 2083 5 42 Tuorila Christina FIN 1433 4 72 Chuemsakul Sarocha THA 0 3 102 Tantichot Pattarapongpun THA 0 1

13 Hamid Hairul Abdul MAS 1751 5 43 Nilesh Jindal IND 1601 3½ 73 Janset Pakpoom THA 1416 3 103 Iyer Vishal IND 0 ½

14 Tint Swe Win MYA 1913 5 44 Maneesorn Kankawee THA 1736 3½ 74 Suknaibaiboon Satit THA 0 3 104 Quevedo James PHI 0 0 Maung Maung Kyaw Zaw 15 MYA 1736 4½ 45 Dela Pena George PHI 0 3½ 75 Danyuttasilp Yuttasak THA 0 3 105 Malliga Arjunan K IND 0 0 Hein 16 Cuizon Lorenzo P. Jr. PHI 0 4½ 46 Posadas Rommel PHI 1752 3½ 76 Ortiguero Jeremy Jerome PHI 0 2½

17 Kamphusan Thaphat THA 1633 4½ 47 WCM Siddiqui Nida Mishraz PAK 1626 3½ 77 Mungkham Keartisak THA 0 2½

18 James Rowan CAN 0 4½ 48 Dhrupad Kashyap IND 1423 3½ 78 Rao Manas IND 1591 2½

19 Chandrasekhar M K IND 1815 4½ 49 Krishi Pallab Chutia IND 1557 3½ 79 Ahn Juyong KOR 0 2½

20 FM Leong Ignatius SIN 1974 4½ 50 Majumdar Shankar IND 1993 3½ 80 Einarsson Robert SWE 0 2½

21 Nikhilesh Das IND 1865 4½ 51 Schilling Hans GER 1820 3½ 81 Laosaengpha Napat THA 0 2½

22 Olsson Lars F SWE 1960 4½ 52 WCM Goh Jie Yi MAS 1444 3½ 82 Chaipa Kanyanut THA 0 2½

23 Dale Finley AUS 1751 4½ 53 Koelbl Wolfgang GER 1883 3½ 83 Mekarapiruk Chawit THA 1316 2½

24 Prasitsoonthorn Teerachoti THA 1616 4½ 54 Culasing Michael PHI 1841 3½ 84 Tuorila Nina FIN 0 2½

25 Tan Meng Wei SIN 1741 4½ 55 Tan Yi Ern Merrick SIN 0 3½ 85 Borigas Edrien Gappi HKG 0 2½

26 Nandan Buragohain IND 1876 4½ 56 Arvind M Yeri Dr. IND 0 3½ 86 Iyer Harikrishnan IND 0 2

27 Jitendra Choudhury IND 1784 4½ 57 Mohd Kamal Eldin Hakimi MAS 0 3½ 87 Chen Noppakorn THA 0 2

28 Hanumantha R. IND 1709 4½ 58 Bianchi Simone SUI 1857 3½ 88 Wannawichian Suwicha THA 0 2

29 Labuac Edilberto Jr. PHI 0 4 59 Calacday Henry PHI 1936 3 89 T. Thawanphon THA 0 2

30 Ilyes Peter NOR 1783 4 60 Htet Naing MYA 1652 3 90 Buasroung Ekasith THA 1647 2

54 55 Final Standings – Blitz Tournament

Rank Name Rating Country Points 1 GM Wang Hao 2705 CHN 14

2 GM Dragun Kamil 2537 POL 11 ½

3 GM Barbosa Oliver 2610 PHI 11

4 GM Socko Bartosz 2623 POL 10

5 IM Dimakiling Oliver 2422 PHI 10

6 Hemant Sharma 2325 IND 9

7 Ravi Teja S. 2368 IND 8½

8 Roy Prantik 2308 IND 7½

9 Severino Sander 2355 PHI 7½

10 FM Biag Ivan Gil 2328 PHI 6½

11 GM Laylo Darwin 2465 PHI 6½

12 FM Bartel Michal 2381 POL 6

13 Grafil Franz Robert 2156 PHI 4

14 FM Causo Deniel 2401 PHI 4

15 Gavilan Jr Arnulfo 2244 PHI 3½

16 Alahakoon Isuru 2152 SRI ½

56 57 Thailand Open Chess Championships 12-19 April 2015 • Dusit Thani Pattaya

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