The 2022 FIDE World Amateur Championship is nearing the finish line. Seven out of nine rounds have been played in Malta.

With 7 points out of 7, Mongolian players Naranbold Sodbilegt and Margadgua Erdenebayar (pictured below) are the sole leaders in the Open U2000 and Women U1700 categories, respectively.

Michal Popiol (Poland), Juan David Becerra (Colombia) and Abilmansur Abdilkhair (Kazakhstan) share the lead in the Open U2300 sitting on 5.5/7. Among the leaders, only Popiol (pictured below), who is 10th on the starting list, has been unbeaten so far.

There is a three-way tie for the top position in the U1700 section as well. With two rounds to go, Indian Farhaan M, Otgonbayar Bat-Erdene from Mongolia and Kao Jamison Edrich of Hong Kong are leading the field with 6/7.

The 2022 FIDE World Amateur Championships takes place in Malta from October 20-30. The event brought together 197 players from 51 federations, including 27 title-holders.

Photo: Andreas Kontokanis