Yeoh Li Tian wins 1st Chess Hub - MCF GM IM Invitational 2025, creates history, Harshavardhan G B second
IM Yeoh Li Tian (MAS) scored 7/9 to win 1st Chess Hub - MCF GM IM Invitational 2025. He not only won the tournament but also became the first Grandmaster of Malaysia by earning his final GM-norm. Former Asian Junior champion, IM Harshavardhan G B scored 6.5/9 to secure second place. His sole loss was against the eventual champion and GM Yeoh in the fifth round. GM Duc Hoa Nguyen (VIE) scored 6/9 to be placed third. The top three prizes were RM 10000 + trophy, 5000 and 3000 each.The seven-day nine round Rating Invitational tournament was organized by Malaysian Chess Federation and Chess Hub Sdn. Bhd. at Corus Hotel (KLCC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 28th July to 3rd August 2025. The tournament will forever be etched in the memory of Yeoh and all Malaysians as it witnessed history. Photo: Malaysian Chess Federation
Yeoh becomes the first Grandmaster of Malaysia
IM Yeoh Li Tian became Malaysia's first Grandmaster ever, 51 years after the formation of Malaysian Chess Federation in the year 1974. Despite suffering a loss in the second, Yeoh made a strong comeback by scoring 6 points in the next seven games including a win over the eventual second runner-up, GM Duc Hoa Nguyen (VIE), draws against GM Van Huy Nguyen (VIE) and GM Petr Kiriakov. Apart from Yeoh scoring a GM-norm, the reigning Malaysian National champion 2025, 13-year-old, CM Kavin Mohan earned an IM-norm.
A total of 26 players including 6 GMs, 8 IMs and 2 WIMs took part from seven countries across the world. The seven-day nine round Rating Invitational tournament was organized by Malaysian Chess Federation and Chess Hub Sdn. Bhd. at Corus Hotel (KLCC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 28th July to 3rd August 2025. The time control of the event was 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move.
Final standings
| Rk. | SNo | Name | sex | Gr | FED | Rtg | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | TB3 | TB4 | TB5 | Rp | n | w | we | w-we | K | rtg+/- | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | IM | Yeoh, Li Tian | MAS | MAS | 2490 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 42,5 | 46,5 | 36,3 | 2609 | 9 | 7 | 5,69 | 1,31 | 10 | 13,1 | ||
| 2 | 5 | IM | Harshavardhan, G B | IND | 2454 | 6,5 | 0 | 5 | 41,5 | 45,5 | 31,5 | 2560 | 9 | 6,5 | 5,23 | 1,27 | 10 | 12,7 | |||
| 3 | 9 | GM | Nguyen, Duc Hoa | VIE | 2405 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 42 | 45,5 | 27,3 | 2506 | 9 | 6 | 4,72 | 1,28 | 10 | 12,8 | |||
| 4 | 2 | GM | Kiriakov, Petr | FID | 2502 | 5,5 | 0 | 3 | 41,5 | 46 | 26,8 | 2437 | 9 | 5,5 | 6,16 | -0,66 | 10 | -6,6 | |||
| 5 | 1 | GM | Gholami Orimi, Mahdi | IRI | 2511 | 5,5 | 0 | 2 | 39,5 | 42,5 | 25,5 | 2393 | 9 | 5,5 | 6,57 | -1,07 | 10 | -10,7 |
Links
Tournament live stream playlist
Malaysian Chess Federation fb page
