Chinese GM Yu Yangyi and Indonesian WGM Irene Sukandar lead at the halfway mark of the Open and Women's Asian Continental Championships, respectively, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam after 5 rounds of the 9-round Swiss System tournaments.



Yu (at left above) beat GM Oliver Barbosa of the Philippines (right) to grab solo lead with 4.5 points after 5 rounds. Irene Sukandar of Indonesia held top seed Zhao Xue to a draw to maintain her lead alone with 4.5 points in the Women's division.

Yu essayed the Queen's Indian defense and managed to control the central files. Unable to prevent mate, Barbosa resigned on the 42nd move.

Five players follow a half point behind with 4 points each, namely Chinese IM Liu Qingnan and GM Ding Liren, and GMs John Paul Gomez of the Philippines, Negi Parimarjan of India and Salem A. R. Saleh of the United Arab Emirates.

Liu and Ding drew in 30 moves of a French Defense. Two teenagers are in the lead pack. Parimarjan, 19, crushed GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia while Salem, also 19, upset top seed  Le Quang Liem of Vietnam.

In the women's division, Sukandar maintained her solo lead with 4.5 points. Half point behind are WGM Nguyen Thi Thanh An of Vietnam, IM Munguntuul Batkhuyag of Mongolia and WGM Ding Yixin of China.

 
"Really great video reports" was the description by Chessbase. Above, Asian Chess Federation Treasurer Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh captures women's top board action. Visit the Asian Chess Federation site for photo album number 2. Download pgn files at chess-results.com and see results and standings. Watch live games at the Vietnam Chess Federation site or at Chessdom.com.