This is eSport style meaning no physical chess set and clock. But not totally online either. Lim Zhuo Ren and Magnus Carlsen is in the same playing hall using computer playing each other.

What is the eSport about:

The 2026 ASEAN E-Sports Chess Cup (also known as the ASEAN Plus Chess Esports Championship) is a major international rapid chess tournament taking place today, June 13, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand.

Organized by WR Chess in partnership with the Thailand Chess Association, the event is designed as a broadcast-friendly, fast-paced competition that brings together 22 players — representing the 11 ASEAN nations alongside world-class international invitees.

Here is a breakdown of the event:

Tournament Structure

• Format: Rapid chess. Each player has 10 minutes for the entire game with no increment, meaning games last a maximum of 20 minutes.

• Progression: The 22 players are split into four round-robin groups. The top two players from each group advance to an 8-player Championship knockout bracket. The remaining players compete in parallel classification matches so every participant gets a final ranking.

• Venue: Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River.

The Field

The tournament features a mix of regional talent and elite global heavyweights, including:

• Magnus Carlsen (World No. 1, Norway)

• Fabiano Caruana (World No. 2, USA)

• Le Quang Liem (Vietnam)

• Tin Jingyao (Singapore)

• Andrey Esipenko (FIDE)

• José Martínez Alcántara (Spain)

• and others including Lim Zhuo Ren of Malaysia

Significance and Goals

The event has strong backing from the Thai government as part of an initiative to promote the country's "soft power" and digital economy. Officials view the tournament as a way to position Thailand as a regional hub for digital sports while encouraging youth participation in chess to develop skills like analytical thinking, concentration, and strategic planning.