Liêm’s Chess World Cup campaign ends

Lê Quang Liêm of Việt Nam loses at the Chess World Cup in Georgia. — Photo baomoi.com

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s No  一 master Lê Quang Liêm exited the ongoing Chess World Cup in Georgia earlier than expected after a draw on Thursday.

Liêm tied with India’s Vidit Santosh Gujrathi in the second round’s second match, and lost 0. 五- 一. 五 in aggregate, thus being ousted from the tournament.

Liêm’s exit comes as a surprise as he is world No  二 六 while Gujrathi is No  四 四.

Two other unexpected exits of the tournament were former world champion Viswanathan Anand of India and Russian Grandmaster Sergey Karjakin, who were sent home after two rounds. Anand, who is world No  八, was beaten by No  一 一 七 Anton Kovalyov of Canada, while No  一 二 Karjakin lost to No  八 六 Daniil Dubov of Russia.

Liêm will now prepare for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, to be held later this month in Turkmenistan. — VNS