Hoa defeated Chinese rival Ni Shiqun in the first match and outperformed his fellow patriot Nguyen Hoang Nam in the second match held on March 19.

On the third round on March 20, he triumphed against China’s Wang Jue (Elo 2390), making him one of only four athletes to have maintained a winning streak after the first three matches.

Meanwhile, tournament No.1 seed Le Quang Liem drew with China’s Wang Chen (Elo 2483).

Liem sits at 7^th and on 2.5 points-the same total as Vietnamese players Le Tuan Minh, Nguyen Van Huy, Tran Tuan Minh and Tu Hoang Thong.

Also in the third round, Paulo Bersamina (the Philippines) and Wolfaardt Farncois (South Africa) lost to Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son and Nguyen Anh Khoi (Vietnam).

The fourth and fifth rounds will be held on March 21.

The fourth round fixtures will have some spectacular contests: Duc Hoa (Vietnam)-Mark Paragua (the Philippines), Le Quang Liem-Nguyen Van Huy (both from Vietnam), Tu Hoang Thong (Vietnam)-Ferenc Berkes (Hungary) and Nguyen Anh Khoi (Vietnam)-Bitoon Jimson (the Philippines).

VOV