Siem Reap: Mr. Chea Sideth from Battambang province emerged victorious by claiming the title of ‘Sdech Ok’ (King of Chess) after defeating Mr. Meng Serey Sambath in the final round of the Cambodia Chess Competition 2025. This event took place in front of the iconic Angkor Wat Temple as part of the Angkor Sankranta 2025 festivities.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the competition was broadcasted live by Bayon TV and witnessed the presence of several high-profile dignitaries. Among them were 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 the 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 received a cash prize of 10 million Riel, with the equivalent of approximately US$1 equaling 4,000 Riel. Mr. Meng Serey Sambath and Mr. Chheav Bora, the latter being a two-time ‘Sdech Ok’ winner from 2014 to 2015, were awarded 6 million Riel and 4 million Riel respectively. Mr. Sok Limheng, the national chess champion for five consecutive years, secured the fourth position with a prize of 800,000 Riel.
In addition to these rewards, Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and the First Lady conferred further monetary prizes on the winners. The champion was awarded an additional 20 million Riel, while the second, third, and fourth place holders received 12 million Riel, 8 million Riel, and 4 million Riel respectively.
The Cambodia Chess Competition 2025 was organized collaboratively by the NOCC and UYFC as a segment of the Angkor Sankranta 2025 celebration. This event took place from April 14 to 16 in Siem Reap province, coinciding with the Khmer Traditional New Year celebrations.