The Chess Academy concluded another scholastic year with our 16th Annual End of Year Tournament held at the spacious facilities of the French International School. This year, we welcomed an impressive 153 students from various schools across Hong Kong, all eager to showcase their chess skills and compete for age group accolades.
This year’s tournament was a resounding success, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for chess among young players in Hong Kong. The high participation of players marks a significant increase from previous years, showcasing the vibrant community and the eagerness of children to engage in this strategic game.
The event not only highlighted exceptional individual performances but also fostered a spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship among participants. Each section displayed intense competition, with numerous close matches and impressive comebacks, particularly in the U9 and U11 categories, where tie-breaks were essential in determining the winners.
The U7 section has become one of the most popular categories in recent years, attracting younger players than ever, including this year’s standout, Ansel Chow, who participated at just 4 years old! The competition featured some of the best young talents, as evidenced by the final results. TCA student Huang, Yantao delivered an outstanding performance, winning all 7 of his games. Following him were Meng, Shayne with 6 points and Sarah Sun, who secured 3rd place based on tie-breaks.
Age 5 Winner – Chow, Pak Ho Ansel
Age 6 Winner – Mak, Mateo
Age 7 Winner – Tong, Zayne
3rd Place Female – Huang, Caroline
2nd Place Female – Yip, Hayden Jolene
1st Place Female – Ho, Kimmy
3rd Place Winner – Sun, Sarah
2nd Place Winner – Meng, Shayne
1st Place Winner – Huang, Yantao
Results – https://chess-results.com/tnr1072334.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=7
The U9 section, known for being one of the largest and most competitive, was once again decided on tie-breaks this year. Last year’s third-place winner, Wong Hoi Cheung, claimed first place, showcasing the improvement of returning players. Rounding out the top three were Jake Wang and Carden Lam, with last year’s U7 winner, Sonia Peng, finishing closely behind in fourth place. Her transition to the new age group is commendable!
Age 8 Winner – Lau, Clayton
Age 9 Winner – Sit, William
3rd Place Female – Ren, Claire Ye-Tian
2nd Place Female – Peng, Litan Elena
1st Place Female – Peng, Lixiao Sonia
3rd Place Winner – Lam, Carden
2nd Place Winner – Wang, Yuanjin Jake
1st Place Winner – Wong, Hoi Cheong
Results – https://chess-results.com/tnr1072336.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=7
The U11 section appeared to be a runaway victory until the final rounds, when the dynamics shifted dramatically. A strategic draw was made, a must-win game was secured, and ultimately led to two players hoping for favorable tie-breaks. In the end, Isaac Say triumphed, having defeated second-place winner Law Ching Yin in round 6 and drawn with third-place winner Lucas Leung in the final round—an excellent tactical execution! TCA student Elise Kelly also excelled, earning 4.5 points and the title of Best Female in a challenging section.
Age 10 Winner – Chan, Charles
Age 11 Winner – Ao, Lok Chee
3rd Place Female – Sun, Vivian Youtian
2nd Place Female – Ho, Kayley
1st Place Female – Kelly, Elise Lilian
3rd Place Winner – Leung, Lucas Joy San
2nd Place Winner – Law, Ching Yin
1st Place Winner – Say, Hoi Wang Isaac
Results – https://chess-results.com/tnr1072337.aspx?lan=1
The U18 section was FIDE rated and overseen by Coach GM Andres. With around half of the participants holding FIDE ratings, this reflects the significant progress chess has made within Hong Kong’s scholastic landscape. The top two podium positions were once again determined by tie-breaks, with two of the most active junior players in the chess scene, Zion Chiu and Sky Xia, vying for the top spot. Close behind was TCA student Krishiv Shah, who also needed tie-breaks to secure his third-place finish.
Age 12 Winner – Wong, Colin Gwun Yu
Age 13 Winner – Xu, Anlan
Age 14 Winner – Nguyen, Paul
Age 15 Winner – Oh, Sheng Jun Issac
3rd Place Female – Chan, Sze Wing
2nd Place Female – Lee, Seo Yoon Marissa
1st Place Female – Chang, Suet Wing
3rd Place Winner – Shah, Krishiv
2nd Place Winner – Xia, Xuejing Sky
1st Place Winner – Chiu, David Zion
Results – https://chess-results.com/tnr1072338.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=7
The 16th Annual TCA End of Year Tournament was a remarkable event that not only showcased the talents of our young players but also strengthened the community of chess enthusiasts in Hong Kong. We are proud of all participants for their hard work and dedication, and we look forward to seeing their continued growth in the future.
We are excited to announce the next Interschool tournaments:
‧ The 15th Annual ISF Academy Chess Open
(March 9, 2025)
‧ The 15th Annual Scholastic Championship
(June 8, 2025)
These are the few biggest Inter-School Chess Tournaments in Hong Kong, where players compete individually for titles, as well as for school team awards. We invite all chess players to sign up and participate in what promises to be thrilling events. Mark your calendars and prepare for some exciting days of chess!
