The 20th Malaysian Chess Open 2025 is announced !!

Get ready for the landmark 20th Malaysian Chess Festival 2025! This highly anticipated event, recognized as the region’s longest-running international open, will feature nine diverse tournaments over ten days.

The festival runs from September 12th to 21st, 2025, at the KL Gateway Mall, Kuala Lumpur. It's easily accessible via LRT. Organized by DAT Chess Centre (DATCC), the festival caters to all ages and skill levels.

Key events include:

• Team Championships: SMS Deen Merdeka Open Rapid Team and DTCN Merdeka Junior (Under-12) Team.

• Blitz Showdowns: Merdeka and Festival Blitz.

• Age-Group Competitions: DTCN Open Rapid Age-Group (U-06 to U-16) and DTCN Malaysia Day Age Group (U-8 to U-18), crucial for junior development.

• Premier Individual Opens: The flagship 20th Dato Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championship (FIDE rated, open to all), the Daniel Yong Chen-I Memorial Malaysia Chess Challenge (for players below FIDE Rtg 2000), and the Dato Tan Chin Nam International Seniors' Open (for players 50+/45+). Early bird discounts apply to these major opens.

This festival is a critical catalyst for local chess development and a tribute to the late Dato' Tan Chin Nam, the "father of Malaysian chess". It consistently attracts large numbers, with around 1,400 entries in 2024. A significant highlight was 15-year-old IM Poh Yu Tian becoming the youngest and first Malaysian to win the main event in 2024.

Download the details here

Dato' Tan Chin Nam International Seniors Open Chess Championship 2024

Here is a complete list of winners in all categories, including overall standing, age groups, and best Malaysians, along with their prize money, from the 2024 Dato' Tan Chin Nam International Seniors Open Chess Championship:

Overall Winners:

● 1st Place: GM Alexei Barsov (UZB) - RM 3,000.00

● 2nd Place: GM Buenaventura Villamayor (SGP) - RM 2,000.00

● 3rd Place: IM Angelo Young (PHI) - RM 1,500.00

● 4th Place: FM Ismail Ahmad (MAS) - RM 1,000.00

● 5th Place: Eggers Paul S (USA) - RM 500.00

 
 
 

Age Group Winners:

● Senior (65-74 years old):

○ 1st Place: IM Jimmy Liew Chee-Meng (MAS) - RM 1,500.00

○ 2nd Place: IM Chan Peng Kong (SGP) - RM 1,000.00
 

Above 75 years old:

○ 1st Place: Pitre Hanniegn (USA) - RM 1,500.00

○ 2nd Place: Kuich Gero (SUI) - RM 1,000.00
 

Best Malaysian Winners:

● 1st Place: Chay Joon Hoong - RM 1,500

● 2nd Place: Lee Soi-Hock - RM 1,000

● 3rd Place: Lim Kian Hwa - RM 500

  

Notes:

● All prizes are in Ringgit Malaysia (RM).

The information on prizes comes from the prize list, while the winners' names and rankings are derived from the final ranking crosstable.

Malaysian Open 2024 results

 The Malaysian Open 2024 concluded with an impressive display of skill and strategy. Here is a detailed report of the top performers and key highlights:

Top Performers

1. IM Poh Yu Tian (MAS)

   • Rating: 2430
   • Score: 7.5/9
   • Performance: Poh Yu Tian showcased exceptional consistency, securing 7 wins and 2 draws. His notable victories included wins against strong opponents like IM Liu Xiangyi  and FM Pangilinan Stephen Rome. Also knowing full well there was no chances of a GM norm because he is the highest rated in the tournament, Poh Yu Tian did not despair and played with energy and determination - the mark of a champion!
   • Significance: This is the first time in 19 editions of the Malaysian Open, a Malaysian has won the event !
     
   
   

2. IM Kushagra Mohan (IND)

   • Rating: 2411
   • Score: 7/9
   • Performance: Kushagra Mohan had a strong tournament, with 7 wins and only 1 loss. His performance was highlighted by victories over players like FM Nguyen Quoc Hy and GM Laylo Darwin.
     
     
     

3. GM Laylo Darwin (PHI)

   • Rating: 2397
   • Score: 6.5/9
   • Performance: Laylo Darwin demonstrated his grandmaster skills with 6 wins and 3 draws. He maintained a solid performance throughout, without a loss, drawing against top competitors like IM Poh Yu Tian and IM Kushagra Mohan.
      
     
     

4. Gong Sunle (CHN)

   • Rating: 2226
   • Score: 6.5/9
   • Performance: Gong Sunle had a remarkable tournament, achieving 6 wins and 3 draws. He was seen walking and looking at the top boards with nervous energy. A relatively unknown face at the moment but will potentially change with future tournament wins!

     

     Gong Sunle

     
     

5. FM Pangilinan Stephen Rome (PHI)

   • Rating: 2174
   • Score: 6.5/9
   • Performance: Stephen Rome’s performance was notable with 6 wins and 1 draw. His key victories included wins against FM Nguyen Quoc Hy and GM Nguyen Duc Hoa.

Key Highlights

• IM Poh Yu Tian’s Dominance: Poh Yu Tian’s unbeaten run and strategic prowess were the highlights of the tournament. His ability to secure crucial wins in tight situations set him apart.
• Strong International Presence: The tournament saw participation from various countries, including India, the Philippines, China, Vietnam, and Singapore, showcasing a diverse and competitive field.

Event 5: 19th IGB Dato Arthur Tan
Malaysian Open Chess Championship
Final ranking (Main Prizes)
Rank		Name		FED	Type	Pts
1	IM	Poh Yu Tian		MAS	U16	7½
2	IM	Kushagra Mohan		IND		7
3	GM	Laylo Darwin		PHI		6½
4		Gong Sunle		CHN	U16	6½
5	FM	Pangilinan Stephen Rome		PHI		6½
6	FM	Nguyen Quoc Hy		VIE		6½
7	GM	Nguyen Duc Hoa		VIE		6
8	WGM	Gomes Mary Ann	F	IND		6
9	GM	Deepan Chakkravarthy J.		IND		6
10	FM	Winkelman Albert		AUS		6
11	IM	Nitin S.		IND		6
12	GM	Nguyen Van Huy		VIE		5½
13	AGM	Vignesh B		IND		5½
14	IM	Jin Yueheng		CHN	U16	5
15	IM	Liu Xiangyi		SGP		5
16	WGM	Nguyen Thi Mai Hung	F	VIE		5
17	IM	Badmatsyrenov Oleg		FID		5
18		Majumder Shrayan		IND		5
19	WIM	Nguyen Thanh Thuy Tien	F	VIE		5
20	GM	Venkatesh M.R.		IND		5
Final ranking (Best Lady)
Rank		Name		FED	Type	Pts
1		Zhao Chenyu	F	CHN	U16	5½
2	WGM	Priyanka Nutakki	F	IND		5
Final ranking (Best Malaysian)
Rank		Name		FED	Type	Pts
1	FM	Chan Kim Yew		MAS		6
2	FM	Lye Lik Zang		MAS		6
3	FM	Wong Yinn Long		MAS		5½
4		Shahar Uzair		MAS	U16	5
5		Tan Yi Xun		MAS		4½
Final ranking (Best Malaysian Lady)
Rank		Name		FED	Type	Pts
1	ACM	Kumaran Ashwiniy	F	MAS	U16	3½
Final ranking (Best U12)
Rank		Name		FED	Type	Pts
1		Yang Lanqin		CHN	U12	4
Final ranking (Best U16)
Rank		Name		FED	Type	Pts
1		Jiang Haochen		CHN	U16	6

Interactive cross-table results here