Quiet time at chess venue

TAGAYTAY CITY: Almost all of the competition venues have been filled with raucous cheering and shouting, especially from the home crowd, with their athletes nearing a first overall medal standings victory.

But for those who like things quieter on the SEA Games front, then the venue for chess in the tranquil mountain resort of Tagaytay City, about 86 kilometers south of Manila, is the place to visit.

Very few spectators have made the trip to watch the action in chess, Antara news service reported.

As Indonesia's I.K. Sukandar took on A. Salvador of the Philippines on Friday, there was no sound in the room -- because there were no spectators.

"This is a contest of the mind, not a physical one, so we don't need spectators," teenage women's player Irene Kharisma said outside the venue. -- JP

Thai princess loses in badminton

MANILA: Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana of Thailand's experience in the Southeast Asian Games badminton's women's doubles competition was short and not so sweet.

Paired with Thai number one Sujitra Eakmongkolpaisarn, the fashon design student lost 0-15, 2-15 to host players Vanessa Tanco/Irene Chiu at Philsports Multi Sports Complex, Pasig City, on Thursday, Antara news service reported.

But the Thai women's team, including the princess, set a milestone on Wednesday. They wrested the women's team title from defending champion Singapore 3-2; it was the Thai women's first team gold in 20 years. -- JP