Liem struggles to hit his stride during Hunan Chess Open

In his fourth match on August 1, Liem, Elo rating 2713, tied with Zhao Zong Yuan of Australia, Elo rating 2529, after 32 moves. His previous three games also ended in draws against Xi Zhihang, Elo rating 2501, Dai Changren, Elo rating 2510, and Liu Yan, Elo rating 2516, all of whom are representing the host country, China.

His poor performances during the tournament so far have only earned Liem two points, 1.5 points less than the competition’s leading player Ivan Cheparinov, Elo rating 2666.

Among the seeded chess players taking part, Liem endured the poorest results at the tournament so far.

The Vietnamese chess player has also dropped 10 Elo points as a result of his draws against lower-ranked opposition.

He is scheduled to meet Peng Xiongjian of China, Elo rating 2467, in his fifth match later today.

Elsewhere, Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, Elo rating 2636, was also held to a draw against Vallejo Pons Francisco of Spain, Elo rating 2687, in his fourth fixture of the event.

With three points, Son finds himself only 0.5 points behind the competition’s leading chess player.

The Kien Giang-born player is scheduled to face off against Chinese super grandmaster Wang Hao, Elo rating 2725), in the tournament’s fifth match.