Le Quang Liem secured a draw in the first leg of the second round at the World Cup 2015 in Baku, Azerbaijan, on September 14.— Photo zdn.vn

HANOI (VNS) — Both Le Quang Liem and Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son secured draws in the second round's first leg at the World Cup 2015 in Baku, Azerbaijan, on September 14.

Liem, the 2013 World Blitz Chess Champion who has an Elo rating of 2697, tied with stronger rival Vitiugov Nikita of Russia (Elo 2725), who is world No 32 and seeded 28th.

Meanwhile, Son (Elo 2634) also played outstandingly to draw with world No 13 Tomashevsky Evgeny of Russia (Elo 2758).

Earlier, Liem crushed Vasif Durarbayli of Azerbaijan, and Son drew with Robert Kempinski of Poland in both the first and second legs of the first round. — VNS