The year 2023 is coming to an end and so are all the school chess competitions in Hong Kong. The Chess Academy (TCA) 15th annual End of Year Tournament took place on Sunday December 10th at the beautiful Zetland Hall in Mid-Levels. An enthusiastic 140 woodpushers from over 45 schools competed over 7 rounds to declare age divisions honors, U7 – U18.
The U18 section saw an unprecedented strong and large section, with some of the scholastic top juniors competing. A testament of the growth in Hong Kong’s scholastic chess scene, a whopping 16 out of the 28 contestants were internationally rated by FIDE, a rarity a couple years back but now more and more frequent. A couples of the TCA younger players were also encouraged by our coaches to participate in this rated section to test out their skills.
In the end, it was Lam Ying Long Michael (1516) who took top honors with 5.5/6pts, Michael has been one of the most active juniors in the few FIDE tournaments in Hong Kong. Second place was achieved by unrated player Wong Brendan Gwun Yin (unr), being his first FIDE rated tournament he had a performance of 1536. Third place was grabbed by scholastic veteran Hari Advay (1367) agreeing to a strategic draw in the last round to clinch a podium finish. Top Female was taken by Bu Zhiming, who has come out of “retirement” after being out of the chess scene since pandemic years. The TCA young players Patrick Wong (U9) and Jonathan Lundberg (U8) also had a remarkable results in the U18 rated section, they ranked 6th and 7th after the last round.
1st Place – Lam Ying Long Michael (Kellett School)
2nd Place – Wong Brendan Gwun Yin (La Salle Secondary School)
3rd Place –Advay Hari (GSIS)
Top Female – Bu Zhiming (ISF)*
Age 12 Winner – Yang Kwan Yui Jayden (Tin Ka Ping Secondary School)
Age 13 Winner –Nathaniel Zhu (CIS)*
Age 14 Winner – Qian Tsz Man Ryan (Island School)*
Age 15 Winner – Hugo Ip (ISF)*
Results – https://chess-results.com/tnr861721.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=6
The always competitive U11 section saw some fine chess played by TCA student Liu Ellie Yi Chan, who went on to win the section undefeated with 6.5/7pts, her draw came with the amazing resource of a desperado combination. Second and third place were earned by Tsang Aldrik Chun-yin and Yueh Kevin Hoi Fung respectively, both with 6/7pts but Aldrik coming on top due to better tie-breaks. Top Female was earned by TCA student and standout Lau Chloe Hailey.
1st Place – Liu Ellie Yi Chan (Dalton School)*
2nd Place – Tsang Aldrik Chun-yin (Nord Anglia International)
3rd Place – Yueh Kevin Hoi Fung (Ying Wa Primary School)
Top Female – Lau Chloe Hailey (Bradbury School)*
Age 10 Winner – Yuen Chun Tin Kaden (St. Joseph Anglo-Chinese Primary School)
Age 11 Winner – Wong Colin Gwun Yu (La Salle Primary School)
Results – https://chess-results.com/tnr861720.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=7&fed=HKG
The U9 section was a run-away win for Wu Haowang who had a perfect score of 7/7pts, including a win against a FIDE rated opponent. Tong Zachary and Wong Hoi Cheung both achieved 6/7pts to place second and third place respectively. Top Female was earned by Maeva Oleron. This section is specially fun to spectate as most kids in this section picked up chess during the pandemic and are now putting their skills into real play.
1st Place – Wu Haoyang (Discovery Bay)
2nd Place – Zachary Tong (Kennedy School)
3rd Place – Wong Hoi Cheung (HHCKLA)
Top Female – Maeva Oleron (CIS)*
Age 8 Winner – DariusTan (Stamford American School)*
Age 9 Winner – CharlesChan (CIS)*
Results – https://chess-results.com/tnr861719.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=7&fed=HKG
The U7 section had a great turn-out of 30 young first and experienced players competing. In another run-away performance with 7 out 7 points, Peng Lixia Sonia is quickly becoming one of the top juniors in her section. In second place was TCA student and reigning HKJCC U7 Junior Champion Lau Clayton Hunter. Third place and top female were snagged by TCA students Lu Bingyang and Marissa Pearce.
1st Place – Peng Lixia Sonia (Clearwater Bay School)
2nd Place – Lau Clayton Hunter (Bradbury School)*
3rd Place – Lu Bingyang (Singapore International)*
Top Female – Marissa Pearce (HKIS)*
Age 5 Winner – Tang Christopher Constantine (HKIS)
Age 6 Winner – Huang Yantao (Joyful World International Nursery & Kindergarten)*
Age 7 Winner – Wang Chun Kit Daniel (YCIS)
Results – https://chess-results.com/tnr861717.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=7&fed=HKG
Students/ School with * are under TCA coaching
** Upcoming events**
The Chess Academy 3-Day Winter Camps 2023 (Dec 18 – Jan 5) From Beginner level camps up to Tournament training camps. Come for a Great Brain Workout during the Winter Holiday!
thechessacademyhk.com 