Australia’s top chess player is world class

HE MAY be Australia’s highest ranked grand master but Zhao-Zong Yuan from Auburn had to settle for third place at the 2014 NSW Chess Open which attracted world class players.

Chess Champion Zong-Yuan Zhao competing in a chess tournament at Parramatta RSL.

HE MAY be Australia’s highest ranked grand master but Zhao-Zong Yuan from Auburn had to settle for third place at the 2014 NSW Chess Open which attracted world class players.

In total 138 players from nine countries headed to Parramatta RSL for the tournament held over the Queen’s Birthday weekend with players potentially racking up 15 hours of chess in the gruelling tournament.

Mr Yuan was pegged to be the main challenger to the Armenian Grandmaster Hrant Melkumyan in the bid for a share of the $11,000 prize pool but ran into trouble against 2013 Oceania Champion International Master Igor Bjelobrk in round 4.

There was a scuffle among the leaders with all players performing at their peak.

Mr Yuan was able to force a draw against Mr Melkumyan, who also lost another round due to his mobile phone sounding during competition, and clinch a split third place finish.

Mr Melkumyan and Mr Bjelobrk finished first equal.

Another stand-out of the tournament was the under-14 Australian Chess Champion Rishi Dutta from Pendle Hill who finished in a split 30th place after winning half of his games.

Mr Yuan won $600.