VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s international GM Le Quang Liem on June 9 outperformed his opponents in the opening matches of the ongoing 2013 World Blitz Chess Championships taking place in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.

Liem, who finished fourth in the 2013 World Rapid Chess Championships one day earlier, scored a total of 12 points after eight wins and the same number of draws.   

He easily defeated Igor Kurnosov of Russia and Vladislav Tkachiev of France and then drew twice with former world champion Ponomariov of Russia

The Vietnamese star also gained an impressive victory and one draw in his matches against rapid chess second runner up Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia.

He was held to two draws with his Vietnamese team mate Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son in the ninth and tenth matches.

Son got a total of 10.5 points in the blitz event, leaving a good impression after a win and a draw against Russian International GM Alexander Grischuk.

After the opening day of the blitz category, Le Quang Liem and Ian Nepomniachtchi topped the rankings with 12 points each while Russian Ponomariov occupied third place.    

In the tournament’s blitz chess category, players compete in 30 rounds with each player allowed three minutes plus a two second add on per move.

Source: VOV