AKP Phnom Penh, April 16, 2025 --

Mr. Chea Sideth from Battambang province won the title of “Sdech Ok” (King of Chess) after beating Mr. Meng Serey Sambath in the final round of the Cambodia Chess Competition 2025, held this morning in front of Angkor Wat Temple in Siem Reap province during the Angkor Sankranta 2025.

The event, televised live by Bayon TV, was presided over by Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Hun Many, Minister of Civil Service and President of the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC); Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Say Samal, Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction and UYFC Vice President; H.E. Thong Khon, Senior Minister and President of National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC); H.E. Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism; and H.E. Prak Sophorn, Governor of Siem Reap province.

Mr. Chea Sideth won a cash prize of 10 million Riel (some 4,000 Riel equal to US$1), while the two runners up, Mr. Meng Serey Sambath and Mr. Chheav Bora, who was “Sdech Ok” for two consecutive years (2014-2015), got 6 million Riel and 4 million Riel, respectively. The 4th winner, Mr. Sok Limheng, the national chess champion for five consecutive years, obtained 800,000 Riel.

In addition, Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and First Lady awarded the champion with 20 million Riel, the 2nd winner with 12 million Riel, the 3rd winner with 8 million Riel, and the 4th winner with 4 million Riel.

The Cambodia Chess Competition 2023 was jointly organised by NOCC and UYFC as part of the Angkor Sankranta 2025, held from April 14 to 16 in Siem Reap province to celebrate the Khmer Traditional New Year.

By C. Nika