Asian Zone 3.5 Chess Championships
Bu Xiangzhi singled out on the top in men’s tournament
Chessdom report
Asian Zone 3.5 Chess Championships are taking place from 20th to 28th March in Tianjin, China. The Men’s tournament is a qualifier for the 2011 World Chess Cup and top two finishers will book tickets for Khanty-Mansiysk. 55 players compete in the 9-round Swiss tournament.
Bu Xiangzhi scored yet another victory and moved into sole lead with six points after seven games. Three strong Grandmasters are only half a point behind.
Women’s tournament takes place concurrently and is a qualification for the 2012 Women World Championship. 32 participants compete over 9 rounds of Swiss system. Top four finishers progress in the World Championship cycle.
Reigning China champion Ju Wenjun was held to a draw by WGM Huang Qian, while WGM Wang Yu A. won her game and caught Wenjun on the shared first place.
Round 7 standings (men):
1. GM Bu Xiangzhi 2677 – 6.0
2-4. GM Li Chao B 2646, GM Zhou Jianchao 2660 and GM Ding Liren 2637 – 5.5
5-6. Lu Shanglei 2456 and GM Zhao Jun 2580 – 5.0
7-16. GM Yu Yangyi 2652, GM Zhou Weiqi 2592, Fang Yan 2271, Ma Zhonghan 2262, Wan Yunguo 2458, Xiu Deshun 2508, Li Haoyu 2386, Wang Chen 2435, Liu Qingnan 2435, Yu Ruiyuan 2439 – 4.5 etc
Round 7 standings (women):
1-2. WGM Ju Wenjun 2519 and WGM Wang Yu A. 2398 – 5.5
3-5. WGM Huang Qian 2394, WGM Shen Yang 2443 and WGM Tan Zhongyi 2428 – 5.0
6-9. WGM Zhang Xiaowen 2344, WGM Ding Yixin 2376, WF Zhai Mo 2136 and WGM Gu Xiaobing 2369 – 4.5
10-12. Guo Qi 2331, Wang Doudou 2182 and Lei Tingjie 2025 – 4.0 etc
The Chinese Chess Championships 2011 start from 29th March in Xinghua, Jiangsu, and continue until 10th April.
Bu is clearly the strongest.