Vietnam’s top chess player Le Quang Liem took the HD Bank International Chess Championships title in Ho Chi Minh City after drawing with Hungary ’s Berkes Ferenc in the last and ninth round of the event on March 24.

With six wins and three draws, the HCM City born player won a 10,000 USD cash prize.

Lu Shanglei of China came second with seven points.

“I played well in this tournament. I didn’t commit any errors in nine matches. This win is very important to me,” said Liem.

This year’s tournament gathered more than 100 players from 13 countries, who competed in the nine-round Swiss-style contest.

As many as 48 Vietnamese players, including Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, Nguyen Duc Hoa, Dao Thien Hai and Nguyen Van Huy, competed in the event. The annual event, the largest of its kind held by the Vietnam Chess Federation, is part of the World Chess Federation’s competition system.-VNA