In a thrilling conclusion to the nine-round Malaysian Open Chess Championship held at KL Gateway Mall, the long-anticipated final round brought a fitting climax to one of Southeast Asia’s premier chess events. The tournament, featuring fierce international competition under Swiss-System rules, witnessed a superb display of skill, resolve, and nerves at every board.
FM Kavin Mohan (Malaysia) Emerges Champion
Malaysia’s own FM Kavin Mohan produced a resilient performance, clinching first place with 7.0 points. Facing GM Nguyen Van Huy (Vietnam) in the last round, Kavin held firm for a crucial draw, securing his spot atop the crosstable. Throughout the event, his consistency was evident, scoring critical wins and solid draws against international masters and grandmasters alike, and with a direct encounter tiebreak advantage he outpaced his rivals—a result bound to invigorate the local chess scene.
International Podium: China, Vietnam, Philippines Impress
IM Zou Chen (China) and GM Nguyen Van Huy (Vietnam) both finished on 6.5 points, sharing second and third places after strong final-round draws. The diversity of talent—China, Vietnam, Philippines, and Australia—at the top table is testimony to the event’s growing stature. Notably, Jin Ruijun (CHN, 2079) emerged as a surprise fourth place finisher, outpacing seasoned IMs and GMs with a combative style and noteworthy victories over stronger-seeded opponents.
IM Concio Michael Jr. (Philippines) and FM Winkelman Albert (Australia) likewise delivered impressive campaigns, each amassing 6.5 points in a closely packed leaderboard, where Buchholz tiebreaks often decided the final order.
Malaysian Masters in the Top-10
FM Wong Yinn Long and FM Lye Lik Zang showed the depth of Malaysian talent, making it to the top 10 with 6.5 and 5.5 points, respectively. Their attacking chess and resilience against a field averaging over 2000 Elo signals a promising future. IM Kushagra Mohan (India), seeded second, found the going tough in the final rounds, finishing with 5.5 points.
Women’s Standouts and Youth Surge
WIM Aakanksha Hagawane (IND) and WGM Janelle Mae Frayna (PHI) made their mark with fighting chess, WCM Salimova Asal (UZB) and WFM Imomkuzieva Nilufarkhon (UZB) also featuring strongly in a gender-diverse top ranking.
A Continental Chess Showcase
With 9 rounds played at a brisk 90+30 time control, the 2025 Malaysian Open gathered over 80 players, mixing rising stars and seasoned veterans. The final crosstable is a testament to chess’s universality—every game, every pairing, a duel echoing well beyond the board.
This edition reaffirms Kuala Lumpur’s place as a chess capital, with DAT Chess Centre and Malaysian Chess Federation presenting a world-class festival. Congratulations to all participants, especially FM Kavin Mohan, whose cool nerves in the closing stages delivered a memorable home victory.
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