Brunei Invitational

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
By Peter Long

Brunei Invitational IM 1 – Irene Sukandar and Nguyen Van Huy set the early pace.

With 3.5 points each from 4 rounds, Woman Grandmaster Irene Kharisma Sukandar from Indonesia and International Master Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam are setting the pace approaching the halfway mark of the first of two Brunei Invitational IM Tournaments to be played from 25 July to 4 August at the Brunei Chess Centre, Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex, Berakas, Bandar Seri Begawan.

Earlier, 18 year old Sukandar was the sole leader with 3 successive wins, but settled for a short draw in the fourth round in her match up with top seeded and now third placed International Master Oliver Barbosa from the Philippines who has 3 points and is also still unbeaten (SEE PHOTO).

Sharing fourth place are International Master Duong The Ahn from Vietnam, Nodir Vakhidov from Uzbekistan and FIDE Master Ramnath Bhuvanesh from India, all with 2.5 points, while alone in seventh place on 2 points is FIDE Master Yee Soon Wai who is leading the local challenge with a solid start.

Organised by the Brunei Chess Federation under the leadership of its President Hj Zainal Abidin Ali, the ten player round robin Brunei Invitational IM Tournaments are the first events of its kind to be held in Brunei and serves as much needed exposure for emerging young local talents Yee and the brother and sister duo Md Aliuddin and Siti Nur Fatimah who are all making the transition from junior ranks. Six countries and six internationally titled players are participating in the two tournaments, represented by eight men and two women from India, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Uzbekistan and Brunei and the detailed results and the games of the Brunei Invitational IM Tournament 1 is available at http://www.chess-results.com/tnr35656.aspx?lan=1