08/06/2026
The third edition of the PlayNow! Grand Prix was held at Aperia Mall over the first weekend of June, bringing together chess enthusiasts and curious shoppers for a weekend of engaging activities and competition.
On the morning of 6 June, participants took part in a Puzzle Solving and Memory Challenge from 10am to 12pm. Competitors worked through 10 specially curated puzzles before tackling a memory challenge, where they had to visually recall two chess positions and answer related questions correctly to earn bonus points.
Many participants wore suitably ‘puzzled’ expressions as they navigated the exercises, which also attracted the attention of passing shoppers eager to discover what was happening. The interactive format proved both challenging and entertaining, demonstrating the many dimensions of chess beyond tournament play.
The afternoon transitioned into a Rapid tournament that attracted 116 players. The atrium hummed with quiet energy as chess clocks clicked rhythmically and players battled intensely across the board. Several rounds drew sizeable crowds, with spectators gathering to watch closely contested games as competitors fought hard for every point.
We congratulate the top three finishers who won the following eCapitaVouchers prizes:
1st – FM Ashton Chia, $500
2nd – Christopher Lin, $300
3rd – FM Nelson Villanueva, $200
We extend our sincere appreciation to CapitaLand Malls SG for continuing to showcase chess in a vibrant community setting, and to Aperia Mall for providing such a welcoming venue. Their support has enabled chess to reach a wider audience and created an engaging experience for both players and shoppers alike.
Stay tuned as the PlayNow! Grand Prix series heads towards its exciting conclusion later this year. Further details will be announced soon.
Final rankings of PlayNow! Grand Prix at Aperia Mall can be viewed below:
https://s3.chess-results.com/tnr1410492.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=9&turdet=YES&flag=30&SNode=S0
