Merciless Ly

Young Queenslander, Moulthun Ly is showing little mercy to his opponents. In the main Championships section of the Australian Championships, he has so far taken out IM Wohl and FM Guthrie - both higher rated and certainly more experienced opposition. On the other hand, Ly has lost to two other international masters, Zhao and Solomon. While the game against Zhao looked to be an opening accident, Ly's swordfight against Solo was a tougher struggle lasting some 55 moves.

But an even more remarkable thing is that Moulthun is also playing in the Australian Juniors Championships (U18)! Actually, he is the defending champion. After 5 rounds his score is 4.5 - half a point ahead of his nearest pursuers. This morning, he completely brutalised the black side of James Cronan's Scandinavian Defence. It was over in 25 moves.

(As an aside, it's worth mentioning that the current Championships hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the Scandinavian. After 6 outings, white has won five; black has won only one).

Finally, yesterday was definitely one to remember for the rest of Moulthun Ly's, hopefully long, chess career. He won the Australian Rapid Championships on a score of 6.5/7 points. The only blemish was a draw against third-place finisher, IM Solomon.

Xstrata Australian Championship 2006
Ly, Moulthun
Guthrie, Aaron

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. Bxc6 bxc6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O Nf6 7. e5 dxe5 8. Nxe5 Bd6 9. Nc4 Bc7 10. Nc3 Qd4 11. Qf3 Bd7 12. h3 O-O-O 13. Be3 Qh4 14. Bxc5 Nd5 15. Nd6+ Bxd6 16. Bxd6 Qd4 17. Bh2 f5 18. Rfe1 Rhg8 19. Be5 Qh4 20. d4 Nb6 21. a4 g5 22. Qd3 Rdf8 23. Qa6+ Kd8 24. Qxa7 Nc8 25. Qc7+ Ke8

After 25...Ke8

26. d5! cxd5 27. Nxd5 g4 28. Rad1 Qd8 29. Nf6+ Rxf6 30. Qxd8+ Kxd8 31. Bxf6+ Ke8 32. hxg4 Rxg4 33. Rd4 Rg6 34. Be5 Ne7 35. Bd6 Bc6 36. Bg3 Nd5 37. Rc4 Bb7 38. a5 h5 39. a6 Bxa6 40. Rc6 Nb4 41. Rexe6+ Rxe6 42. Rxe6+ 1-0