At the Asian Rapid Chess Championship in Hong Kong, after the first day of rapid play, Kazakh players Maria Kholiavko and Kseniya Balabaeva have each scored four points, placing fifth and seventh respectively. This was reported by infohub.kz.
Kholiavko won four out of five games, but in the third round lost with white to Russian Anna Shukhman, who is in second place. Balabaeva has no losses, drawing with Harika Dronavalli of India (black) and Umida Omonova of Uzbekistan (white).
In the first round of the following day, Balabaeva will play black against tournament leader Le Thao Nguyen Pham from Vietnam.
Other Kazakh women – Amina Kairbekova and Zarina Nurgalieva – had a slow start. But with six rounds remaining tomorrow, they have a chance to improve their standings. Kazakh male players are not participating in the Asian Rapid Championship.
The rapid tournament format consists of 11 rounds under the Swiss system. The Asian champion and prizewinners will be determined tomorrow. The blitz tournament will take place on July 30.
The total prize fund of the championship is 150,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately $19,150).