SEA Games - Starting Rank List For Rapid Event

Rapid is one of the events for Chess in the 26th SEA Games. Two GOLD medals are vied by six countries which participated. Surprisingly, Singapore does not take part.

Vietnam is the hot favourite in this event. The players from this country dominate the starting rank list. In the men's category, Vietnam is represented by one "super" GM and "very strong" GM. Le With Elo ratings of 2714, Quang Liem is the hot favourite to win the Gold medal. He will be challenged by his country man, Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son who is at the second rank and the only 2600-rated player in the list. 

Men Rapid Chess

The Philippines' chess wonder boy, Wesley So, does not take part in this event. The country is represented by IM Oliver Barbosa and GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. While Indonesia, the host country, is represented by two FMs - Kasmiran and Hamdani Rudin.

How about Malaysia? The Malaysian top player, IM Mas Hafizulhelmi who has Elo ratings of 2398, is ranked fifth. He is Malaysia's best hope to grab a medal in this event. IM Mas is accompanied by Sumant Subramaniam who is the second last in the starting list with Elo ratings of 2083. GiLoCatur hopes Sumant will play his best and has strong will and determination to make an upset. 

Women Rapid Chess

In the Women event, only 10 players take part. Both Myanmar and Thailand has only one player taking part. Two WGMs from Vietnam who have 2300s Elo ratings are the top seeds followed by two Indonesian players. The Philippines players are right above both the Malaysian players.

In the Women Rapid Chess, Malaysia is represented by WCM Nur Nabila Azman Hisham and WNM Tan Li Ting who are among the bottom three in the starting rank list. But GiLoCatur believes both of them have a chance to be on the podium. They must believe in themselves and be proud to play for the country. DON'T BE AFRAID! BE CONFIDENT!

For this event, nine rounds will be played starting on 17th November and ending on 20th November. YAKIN BOLEH to all the four Malaysian chess players. MAKE MALAYSIA AND ITS CHESS COMMUNITY STAND TALL AND PROUD.