Successful Conclusion of The Asian Rapid Chess Team Championship - China Team Secures Victory and Asia's New Star Team Shines

(Hong Kong, 24th August, 2024) The highly anticipated Asian Rapid Chess Team Championship, jointly organized by Hong Kong Chess Federation, Asian Chess Federation, and FIDE International Chess Federation, and supported by the "Arts and Sports Development Fund of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau," concluded over the weekend with resounding success. Drawing in over 200 players from around 20 regions and 34 teams, this competition witnessed fierce battles as players showcased their strategic prowess. In a thrilling display of skill and determination during the three-day competition, China team “Schnappi Krokkodil” emerged victorious as the overall champion, securing a prestigious prize of HK$100,000 for their outstanding performance.

China's Schnappi Krokkodil Win Championship

During this remarkable event, renowned world masters and over 50 formidable players with FIDE titles converged on the same battleground. Following intense matches, a stellar lineup of national-level chess players and masters, including Xu Xiangyu, Bai Jinshi, Li Di, Zhao Yuanhe, Zhao Shengxin, Mao Yingzhou and Du Yuxin to defeat 33 formidable opponents, leading the Schnappi Krokodil team to victory. Additionally, the formidable Indonesian team Jabar Juara, skilled Russian team The Formula of Chess, and China team, Shanghai Chess and Card Sports Management Center, represented by Ju Wenjun, a four-time Women’s World Chess Championship champion, and Ni Hua, former world champion and national women’s team head coach, along with the emerging Asian team The Red Pseudodragon, featuring Hong Kong player Jamison Kao, fiercely contended with the champion team throughout the eleven rounds. Ultimately, they secured well-deserved positions among the top five winners of this prestigious event.

Amidst formidable opponents, including some of the world's most competitive teams,  the emerging Asian team comprised of a Hong Kong player, and teammates from other regions, clinched the fifth-place award. In addition to this achievement, Team Sky, comprising players from both Hong Kong and mainland China, triumphed in the U1800 championship. Remarkably, young talents from Hong Kong, Lam Chun Yung Samuel, Fan Wenxi, and Poon Pak Yu, aged between 11 and 14, each secured Individual Board awards, showcasing their exceptional skills at such a young age.

Athletics, Charity, and Cultural Exchange Experiences

To promote community engagement, the event partnered with Heep Hong Society and The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education to organize chess workshops and guided tours. Expert instructors meticulously crafted teaching courses to provide students with a memorable introduction to chess. Furthermore, various peripheral activities were

organized, including the "World Champion Meet and Greet," featuring former Chinese world champion Ni Hua. This special event allowed enthusiasts to interact and play alongside a chess luminary, generating significant interest and participation.

The Asian Rapid Chess Team Championship- Team Prize Results 

Champion	China	Schnappi Krokodil
1st Runner Up	Indonesia	Jabar Juara
2nd Runner Up	Russia	The Formula of Chess
Fourth Place	China	Shanghai Chess and Card Sports Management Center
Fifth Place	China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand	The Red Pseudodragon
Champion U1800	China, Hong Kong	Team Sky
Champion U2200	The Philippines	Filipino Chess Club - HK

 Individual award results

	More photos: https://bit.ly/475UFyw
Champion - Schnappi Krokodil	1st Runner Up - Jabar Juara
2nd Runner Up - The Formula of Chess	Fourth Place - Shanghai Chess and Card Sports Management Center
Fifth Place - The Red Pseudodragon	Group photo of the organizer and the arbiters
Meet and Greet the World Champion – Grandmaster Ni Hua	Chess Workshop