There were some fierce battles in the 10th round of the JAPFA 3rd ASEAN Championships being held at the Utut Adianto Chess School in Bekasi, Jakarta from 21-31 December 2015.
In the last game to finish in the Open Championship, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia battled to a draw against IM Lufti Muhammad Ali to retain a half point lead on 6.5/10 going into the final round after his closest rival FM Nguyen Anh Khoi opted for a quick draw against IM Wynn Zaw Htun to ensure his first IM norm.
A completely out of form GM Darwin Laylo continued a miserable sequence of results with defeat against Yoseph Theolifus Taher, the young man rewarded with an IM norm, matching the breakthrough achievements of FM Nguyen and early leader FM Yeoh Li Tian.
With 8.5/10, WGM Nguyen Thi Mai Hung continued to dominate the Womens Championship with her closest rival WIM Janelle Mae Frayna still one point behind.
It was still good news for the Philippines as WFM Shania Mae Mendoza has completed the requirements for her third and final WIM norm and is now a WIM pending FIDE confirmation.
News and photos by Peter Long
