The 2025 Hong Kong International Open Chess Championship, organized by the Hong Kong China Chess Federation, concluded successfully at Wan Chai’s Queen Elizabeth Stadium. The event attracted over 400 players from 30 regions, including Australia, the United States, Germany, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia. The total prize fund was boosted by nearly 20% from the previous edition, with over 80 titled players competing for the title.
Thirteen years of progress: A new chapter for Asian Chess
Since its inception in 2010, the Hong Kong International Open has now reached its 13th edition. This year marked a historic milestone, featuring the largest number of Grandmasters and International Masters in its history and setting records for both titled player participation and total entrants.
The opening ceremony was graced by distinguished guest Akaki Iashvili, a member of the FIDE Management Board and Chairman of the FIDE Events Commission, who made the ceremonial first move to officially inaugurate the championship.
As one of Asia’s largest and most prestigious open chess championships, the event is not only a celebration of the sport but also a significant occasion for Hong Kong. It is estimated to have contributed nearly HKD 10 million in economic impact through tourism, hospitality, and related activities.
To showcase Hong Kong’s unique local culture, the organizing committee presented several top-seeded players with a special Cantonese-style gift set from the beloved brand “Foodie Dim Sum” during the opening ceremony. This gesture celebrated the players’ arrival and invited them to experience Hong Kong’s famed “yum cha” dining tradition – a true taste of the city’s vibrant culinary charm beyond the chessboard.
KK Chan, President of the Hong Kong China Chess Federation, stated, “Our vision is to make the Hong Kong International Open Chess Championship an annual gathering where chess enthusiasts from around the world come together to compete, connect, and contribute to our vibrant international chess community.”
China and Mongolia players claim victories
After seven days and nine rounds of intense competition, the top three places in the Open Category were claimed by Mongolia’s IM Amartuvshin Ganzorig (pictured below), China’s GM Peng Xiongjian and India’s GM N R Visakh.
The remaining top-ten finishers were:
4th place: IM Vilka Sipila (Finland)
5th place: IM A R Ilamparthi (India)
6th place: GM Jacek Stopa (Poland)
7th place: GM Pang Tao (China)
8th place: GM Abhijeet Gupta (India)
9th place: FM Sehyun Kwon (South Korea)
10th place: GM Maxim Vavulin (Germany)
Complete final standings – Open
In the Challenger Category, players from China and Hong Kong, China, swept the podium. The standings were topped by China’s Zheng Xiner, the only female player in the top ten, followed by China’s Li Tianbo in second and Hong Kong, China’s Tong Ho Man in third.
The remaining top-ten finishers in the Challenger Category were:
4th place: Lam Yui Hei (Hong Kong, China)
5th place: Geng Haolin (China)
6th place: Guo Bo Kai Owen (Hong Kong, China)
7th place: Stanislav Khudovekov (FIDE)
8th place: Zhang Hanwen (Hong Kong, China)
9th place: Zhang Yangming (China)
10th place: Andrew Andi Wu (USA)
Complete final standings – Challengers
Official website: hkcfl.com/