Le Quang Liem. — File Photo

HCM CITY (VNS) — Vietnamese chess players are expected to shine in the Zone 3.3 Championships 2015 for Open and Women on March 6 in HCM City.

Top national players: Le Quang Liem, Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, Dao Thien Hai, Nguyen Duc Hoa and Nguyen Anh Dung, will participate in the men's category.

They will face tough competition from rival players from Singapore, the Philippines, Mongolia and China, who will also be looking to secure a competing berth in the Chess World Cup 2015, which will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from September 10 to October 4.

According to Coach Lam Minh Chau, the male players are prepared to win at least two spots in the world chess event.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese female players will have to overcome a big challenge in the women's category for winning a single berth at the world event. At present, Munguntuul Batkhuyag of Mongolia and Singapore's Li Ruofan are considered better players than their Vietnamese counterparts.

The tournament will be conducted based on the Swiss system of competition that includes nine rounds and is played according to FIDE regulations.

The championship will conclude on March 16. — VNS