Open: After 6 rounds

Tan Mei Sian - grand daughter of the late Dato Tan Chin Nam making the ceremonial first move

IM Kushagra, Mohan

GM Karthikeyan, P.

IM Poh Yu Tian

Too close!! Arbiters doing their job

GM Darwin Laylo

The 2024 Malaysian Chess Open, held at Cititel Kuala Lumpur, has reached a critical stage after six rounds of intense competition. This year’s event features a mix of Grandmasters (GM), International Masters (IM), and FIDE Masters (FM), along with Women’s Grandmasters (WGM) and promising players from around the region.

At the top of the standings, IM Poh Yu Tian, a rising star from Malaysia, is leading the pack with 5 points after six rounds. His performance has been exceptional, holding strong against fierce competition, and positioning himself as a potential favorite for the title.

Joining Poh Yu Tian with 5 points are GM Laylo Darwin from the Philippines and FM Chan Kim Yew, another Malaysian player. Both players have shown incredible resilience and tactical prowess, keeping them in the title race. Laylo Darwin, a seasoned GM, has leveraged his experience, while FM Chan Kim Yew’s breakthrough performance demonstrates his potential to make a mark on the international stage.

Trailing just behind the leaders with 4.5 points are a group of seasoned players, including:

• GM Nguyen Duc Hoa (Vietnam, 2343)

• IM Liu Xiangyi (Singapore, 2368)

• IM Kushagra Mohan (India, 2411)

• GM Deepan Chakkravarthy J. (India, 2408)

• Gong Sunle (China, 2226)

These players are all within striking distance of the leaders and could easily shift the dynamics of the tournament in the remaining rounds. GM Nguyen Duc Hoa and IM Liu Xiangyi, in particular, are known for their endgame strategies, which could prove decisive in the later stages.

In the group with 4 points, notable names include WGM Gomes Mary Ann (Philippines, 2298) and GM Nguyen Van Huy (Vietnam, 2360). WGM Gomes Mary Ann has performed admirably against several higher-rated opponents, continuing to challenge the stereotype of gender disparities in chess.

Other strong competitors sitting at 4 points include WGM Priyanka Nutakki (India, 2292), FM Wong Yinn Long (Malaysia, 2306), and WGM Nguyen Thi Mai Hung (Vietnam, 2208). These players remain in contention and could rise in the standings with a strong finish.

The tournament has also been an opportunity for younger and lower-rated players to showcase their abilities. Notable performances include:

• Jiang Haochen (China, 2326)

• AGM Vignesh B (India, 2198)

• Shahar Uzair (Malaysia, 2140)

All of these players have accumulated 4 points and have shown great promise, with several pulling off impressive upsets.

On the other hand, some higher-rated players such as IM Badmatsyrenov Oleg (Russia, 2401) and IM Jin Yueheng (China, 2320) have faced difficulties, standing at 3.5 points. They will need to rally in the remaining rounds to finish strongly in this highly competitive field.

The Malaysian Chess Open 2024 continues to deliver exciting games, with every round bringing a mix of tactical brilliance and strategic depth. With several more rounds to go, the final outcome is far from certain. Players like Poh Yu Tian, Laylo Darwin, and Chan Kim Yew are poised to make history, but they will need to fend off strong challenges from the seasoned GMs and rising IMs behind them. The tournament is shaping up to be one of the most competitive editions in recent years, and chess enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the final rounds to see who will emerge victorious.