Campomanes Memorial Yangon International Open

Photos from Yangon, Myanmar
Report by Peter Long

Campomanes Memorial Yangon International Open was played on 5-12 July 2011 in Yangon, Myanmar. Philippine's IM Oliver Barbosa emerged winner with 7.5 points. FM Peter Long enjoyed a tour around Yangon and here are his impressions.

One of the most important Buddhist shrines in the world but by itself one of the wonders of the ancient world, the Shwedagon Pagoda dominates the Yangon skyline, part of the life of ever city dweller, and is literally the centre of the Myanmar universe.

Shwedagon Pagoda is 2,500 years old, materialising in brilliant epoch in Buddhist history. Two Myanmar brothers visited the Buddha in India with a gift of honey cakes and were rewarded with 8 hairs personally removed from his head for enshrinement in their native town which is Yangon today.

On their return the hairs were presented to their King who erected the Pagoda which originally just 66 feet high has grown from the 14th century onwards to its present 326 feet height!

Shwedagon is not the only thing that Yangon has to offer!

Another major attraction is Karaweik Palace in the Royal Gardens (yes, Yangon is a city of parks) which for many years was something only ordinary people could gape at! With the end of the royalty, this golden barge was where only the richest and most noble of society would assemble for whatever such people did for leisure and so became of symbol of aspiration.

Today it has become a restaurant for grand events and functions, with cultural shows daily together with Myanmar traditional food served most evening as a buffet (not the food pictured which is a typical meal!).

For more, I strongly recommend you visit Myanmar! It is inexpensive and a truly wonderful experience.

More pics here: http://photos.chessdom.com/yangon-myanmar

Campomanes Memorial Yangon International Open

Campomanes Memorial Yangon International Open
5-12 July 2011 in Yangon, Myanmar - Report by Peter Long

Myanmar is a beautiful country that is at the start of a transition from a long Military dictatorship and so there are naturally some limitations in terms of infrastructure but it is surprisingly modern with all the conveniences the world is used to. It is one of the safest places in the world, with the largely Buddhist population courteous, kind and helpful to foreigners who they consider their guests.

The organisers led by Maung Maung Lwin, President of the Maynmar Chess Federation and Member of the Central Executive Sports Committee of the Myanmar National Sports Committee left no stone unturned to make the event a success.

Serving also as Chief Arbiter, Maung who is also an active and hands-on International Arbiter and so did the pairings while first entertaining the FIDE General Secretary who wanted to enjoy the nightlife before also hosting the later arriving FIDE President who managed to get in some sightseeing in between having quick meetings with the Minister of Sports after the Prize Giving & Closing Ceremony and then a senior representative of the Minister of Education.

Central Hotel in downtown Yangon at the very heart of the city, a stone's throw from many major attractions proved to be an wonderful venue, and the rest day saw the participants all going on a tour which highlight was of course the Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the Wonders of the World and sufficient reason alone to visit Yangon!

The tournament saw a total of 72 players, the bulk of which were from the host nation, but with the Philippines, China, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the USA also represented.

Philippine's IM Oliver Barbosa, 2514 emerged at the end of 9 days of hard competition as a popular and convincing winner with 7.5 points. Unfancied Li Hanbing of China benefited from the pecularities of the swiss system in managing to avoid all the contenders while coming through the field to take a surprise sole second place finish on the strength of a last round win!

IM Nguyen Van Huy from Vietnam led Indian's IM Atanu Lahiri, Filipino IM Richard Bitoon, Veteran Myanmar's IM Myo Naing (who was arguably the best of the locals), IM Dinesh Kumar Sharma (also India), Mount Mount Latt (another unfancied Myanmar surprise package) and Mari Joseph Turqueza (Philippine junior Champion) to equal 3-9th places.

10th-12th places were all Myanmar, IM Wynn Zaw Htun who was expected to be leading contender, Myint Han and Zayar, all on 6 points.

Young players also participated, the impressive Cyrus Low from Singapore winning the U-10 prize, Malaysia's Dilwen Ding edging his compatriot William Lee for the U-14 prize, and Elgin Lee Kah Meng, also from Malaysia doing very well with 5 points and winning the top junior prize.

Of the 6 women playing including the charming Myanmar twins May Hsu Lwin and May Hsett Lwin, it was a determined WIM Wang Xaohui who took the special top woman award.

But the centre of attraction was perhaps 75 year old Srivatanakul Pricha from Thailand whose energy put many players to shame!

Barbosa captures Campomanes Memorial

Barbosa captures Campomanes chess tourney
Philippine Daily Inquirer
8:57 pm | Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

Filipino international Master Oliver Barbosa ruled the Florencio Campomanes Memorial Yangon International Open Chess 2011 at the Central Hotel Bogyoke in Yangon, Myanmar, on Monday.

Barbosa, the 2011 Moscow Open runner-up, finished with 7.5 points to pocket the top purse of $3,000 in the nine-round, 11-nation competition held in honor of the late Fide honorary president Florencio Campomanes.

Chinese Li Hanbing finished second with 7 points and went home with $1,600.

IM Richard Bitoon and Fide Master Mari Joseph Turqueza also did the country proud as they shared third to ninth places with IM Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam, IM Atanu Lahiri and IM Dinesh Kumar Sharma of India, IM Myo Naing and Moun Moun Latt of Myanmar with 6.5 points.

The event drew players from the United States, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines president Prospero “Butch” Pichay said Barbosa’s victory is “proof that Filipinos can really excel internationally in chess.”

Last July 3, Barbosa also topped the 2011 Artillery Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (AFPI) “Chess for a Cause” national rapid chess championships.

Source: http://sports.inquirer.net