2011 Asian Championships

Away from the Candidates matches, other chess activities are also taking place. One significant event is the Asian Individual Championships being held in Iran. The Open Championship has attracted quite a strong field with 12 players rated over 2600. (Curiously, the entry conditions excluded players who had already qualified for the up coming FIDE World Cup.)

The holding of the event in a west Asian country possibly affected the interest from this part of the world, with none of the Oceania countries sending a representative (events held close to home have attracted entries from Australia, PNG, New Zealand etc in the past). Australia was to be represented by Jamie Kenmure (as the only applicant for selection) but he was unable to attend, due to a last minute change of circumstances.

After 3 rounds Chinese GM Bu Xiangzhi leads the 50 player field with 3/3. However it is early days yet, with another 16 players within a point of the lead.

Results and crosstables for the Open are here, and the Womens event, here.