Perseverance pays: Viet Nam's top chess player Le Quang Liem (left) takes the title at HD Bank International Chess Championships in HCM City yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Quang Nhut

HA NOI (VNS)— Viet Nam's top chess player Le Quang Liem took the HD Bank International Chess Championships title in HCM City after drawing with Hungary's Berkes Ferenc in the last and ninth round of the event yesterday.

The Hungarian rival accepted a draw after 30 moves.

With six wins and three draws, the HCM City born player won a US$10,000 cash prize.

Lu Shanglei of China came second with seven points.

"I played well in this tournament. I didn't commit any errors in nine matches. This win is very important to me," said Liem.

This year's tournament lured more than 100 players from 13 countries, who competed in the nine-round Swiss-style contest.

Forty-eight Vietnamese players, including Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, Nguyen Duc Hoa, Dao Thien Hai and Nguyen Van Huy, competed in the event.

The annual event, the largest of its kind held by the Viet Nam Chess Federation, is part of the World Chess Federation's competition system. — VNS