After nine matches, Liem (Elo rating 2,713) was tied for first with 7.5 points alongside American Jeffery Xiong. The winner was decided by a blitz match between the two. Xiong had the advantage of playing with the white pieces but Liem forced him into a draw after 36 points. Liem received bonus points for playing with the black players and was declared champion.

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Grandmaster Le Quang Liem

This is the first World Open title for Liem. He walked away with USD 15,000 for the title and a bonus of USD 500 for winning the tiebreak.

Earlier, the Ho Chi Minh City-born player won the Asian Continental Chess Championship in China and the Summer Chess Classic in the US.

Liem was the top seed of the World Open event which drew 227 players, including 36 Grandmasters.

Source: VNA