The 2012 HD Bank Cup Open Chess Tournament will take place in Ho Chi Minh City on March 2-7, according to the Vietnam Chess Federation.

This is the biggest international chess tournament held by Vietnam as part of the competition system of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), with the participation of 100 players from 15 countries. They will compete in nine rounds and be ranked according to the Swiss system.

According to Vice Director Mai Ba Hung of Ho Chi Minh City ’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Department, the tournament has become a professional competition, attracting more competitors from around the world. It will help local chess players improve their capacity and affirm the world position of Vietnam ’s chess players.

Dang Tat Thang, Vice President of the Vietnam Chess Federation, said the federation will post the event’s competitions live on the websites: www.vietnamchess.com.vn and www.chess.hdbank.com.vn .

This year’s event offers prizes worth 30,000 USD in total.

Also on Feb. 22, Vietnam’s international super grandmaster Le Quang Liem played friendship games with 20 fans in the one versus 20 format to warm up for the tournament.-VNA