3 amateur chess players secure gold medals

Mongolian amateur chess players recorded a historic victory at the latest World Amateur Chess Championship organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

The championship was held for 10 days in Mellieha, Malta from October 20 and the winners received their medals on October 30.

E.Margadgua, S.Tuguldur and N.Sodbilegt from Mongolia each won a gold medal at the World Championship in Women U1700, Open U1700 and Open U2000 sections, respectively.

In the Women U1700, E.Margadgua won the World champion title with a round to spare, scoring 8.5 out of 9 points. She said that she started playing chess by chance while staying at a hospital. But now, she is determined to tie the rest of her life with chess. She said, “This year, I want to become a FIDE master and then, become a grandmaster.”

In Open U1700, S.Tuguldur took gold with 7.5 out of 9 points while N.Sodbilegt was the sole leader in the Open U2000 from the start to finish. The 13yearold boy achieved great success with a perfect score of 9 out of 9 points.

In addition, B.Otgonbayar, who competed in the Open U1700 category, was leading the competition until the last moment when he lost his last game. He took fourth place.

Mongolian chess players have been triumphant at the World Amateur Chess Championship since 2011. Grandmaster S.Bilguun became the first Mongolian winner of the championship in 2011, followed by Woman FIDE Master (WFM) B.Anu in 2011, WFM B.Yanjinlkham in 2013, FIDE Master (FM) G.Munkhbayar in 2014 and FM E.Khulan in 2016 (champion in two sections). Woman International Master B.Bayarmaa became the World champion in 2017 and 2018 and WFM B.Khaliun and FM B.Amarsaikhan both in 2019.

This year, the championship raised its prize fund from 10,000 EUR to 15,000 EUR.