Chess - The Scotsman 08/03/2012

FOR centuries, Europe – with its elite tournaments and professional leagues – has dominated the chess scene.

However, much like the global economy, the balance of power is shifting to Asia. The charge is led by World Champion Viswanathan Anand, supported by emerging talent from China, India, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Each of these nations have produced real talent and many young juniors are beginning to break through into the big time who are more than capable of being a force in the game for the future – and some are even of world championship calibre. Names to look out for include Wang Yue, Ding Liren and Yu Yangyi all of China, Le Quang Liem of Vietnam, and Wesley So of the Philippines to name but a few.

As Asian chess rises, we will see more major tournaments there that could rival the European chess scene in perhaps another 10-15 years time. China has already hosted Asia’s first super-tournament, and is looking to host more, and there’s a very strong professional Chinese League structure with many strong grandmasters taking part.

Another nation looking to build a better chess infrastructure is Vietnam, currently hosting one of the strongest Asian Open tournaments, the 2nd HD Bank Cup Open in Ho Chi Minh City, that runs 1-8 March.

Former Asian champion GM Ni Hua (China) has set a relentless pace with a powerful winning streak and looks set to claim victory, as he goes into the final round on 7.5/8, a full point ahead of his nearest rival, the Vietnamese top-seed GM Le Quang Liem.

Ni Hua - M Paragua

2nd HD Bank Cup, (5)

Slav Defence

1 c4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 e3 Bg4 5 h3 Bxf3 6 Qxf3 e6 7 Bd3 Bb4+ 8 Nd2 0–0 9 0–0 Nbd7 10 a3 Bxd2 11 Bxd2 dxc4 12 Bxc4 e5 13 Bc3 Re8 14 Ba2 e4 15 Qf5 g6 16 Qg5 a5 17 f4 b5 18 Rad1 b4 19 Be1 Kg7 20 Bh4 Rb8 21 Bc4 h6 22 Qg3 bxa3 23 bxa3 Rb2 24 d5 cxd5 25 Rxd5 Qb6 26 Rd4 Nc5 27 f5 Nh5 28 Qg4 Rb1 29 Rxb1 Qxb1+ 30 Rd1 Qb6 31 fxg6 Qxg6 32 Rd5! 1–0