The 21st ASEAN+ Age-Group Championships 2023 has come to The End

by Peter Long - 27/06/2023

It was only a question of how big Vietnam would win, and the final tally of 92 Gold, 37 Silver, and 49 Bronze said it! When second placed Philippines had “only” 15 Gold, 38 Silver and 8 Bronze, followed by India with 3 Gold, 3 Silver and 3 Bronze, the extent of their domination becomes even more clear. New Zealand was a surprise fourth on the basis of medals won in the seniors event, Myanmar fifth, and then Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, China and Malaysia with medals. Check out the final report ASEAN+ Age Group Championships 2023 directly from the venue in Bangkok, Thailand by Peter Long. Photos: FM FT IA Peter Long

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Traditional Thai dance at the Closing

VIPs, including representatives from 15 countries, in attendance

ACC President Ignatius Leong thanking the participants, the organisers and match officials and congratulating the winners

Mr Leong noted that there is now clearly a generational change, as evidenced by numerous past winners, many who are GMs, and are now the coaches of their country’s best young talent.

He also took the opportunity to share some important decisions and key decisions of the ACC Meeting the previous evening, of course the first being that while Laos is the host for 2024, Singapore is given first option in 2025 with Indonesia and Vietnam willing alternatives.

The other one is very interesting, as sponsorship is being actively concluded to provide full medical coverage for a minimum of five years for winners in future ASEAN+ Age Groups.

The handing over of the ACC Flag by host Thailand Chess Association President and 21st ASEAN+ Age-Groups 2023 Organiser Sahapol Nakvanich to Laos Chess Association - John Laoruss

One of many medal awards, this with the Vietnam U-16 team getting Gold and Thailand with Bronze

Full details on standings and pairings together with links to live games can be found here.

Laos - Social Evening performance Winners!

Social Evening has always been a highlight for the participants in every ASEAN Age Groups, where each country puts up a cultural performance and this time, it was fitting Laos who won after putting up a super performance to relegate crowd favourites Philippines into second place!

Indeed a wonderful end to a celebration of over 1,000 in attendance at the 21st ASEAN+ Age Group Championships that has certainly returned with a bang after a three-year enforced hiatus.

Medal tally

21st ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships 2023 medal tally

About the Author

One Night in Bangkok! Peter Long, FM, IA and FT, no longer Secretary of the FIDE Trainers’ Commission

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