More than 160 players participated in the recent 10th Johor Open Rapid 2023 held at Fairview International school at Dato Onn , Johor Baru which saw three International Master (IM), a Fide Master (FM) and two Candidate Master(CM)  .

The tournament was graced by seven nations including Singapore, Indonesia, India, China, Korea and USA.

International Master (IM) Azarya Jodi Setvaki from Indonesian emerged joint champion together with International Master (IM) Pavel Shkapenko who represented FIDE the world chess governing body after they both beat six of their respective opponents before finally drawing in the final round with second place. Both of them earned RM1,100 respectively in the process.

Six players were tied for third spot, among them include Jiang Haochen from China, CM Owen Michael from Indonesia, CM Shreyans K. Shah from India, FM Ignatius Leong from Singapore and our Malaysians Teoh Yi Hearn Lawrence and Chow Ming Jack a local teacher here.

Catogory prizes include Best lady which was won by Malaysian Ivonne Tan Yi En  followed  three other fellow Malaysian ladies who were tied for the second placing  namely wheelchair bound Lim Yee Jin, Lau Yen Lin and Joana Chin Ying Xuan.

Best Under 12 boy Dhivyeesh Balakrishnan, best under 12 girl Khor Zhi Rou, Best U10 boy Shrinivvas Vijayakanesan, best under 10 girl Singaporean Ng Hsuan Jen Danielle Wudijono, best under 8 boy Choong Ee Sean and Best under 8 girl Koh Hui Qi.

 Another spotlight off the tournament was on the youngest contender of the tournament was 6-Year Old Malaysian Loh  Hyun Ren who  came in 125th place among 166 contenders beating two other contestant in the process.