A battle of brains is bearing up as local boardsmen brace themselves for the return of the National Chess Championship after a three-year hiatus.

The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), in cooperation with the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia, is hosting the competition, which will mark the Cambodian New Year celebrations.

Up to 40 candidates have already signed on to contest the first phase at the NOCC headquarters in the National Sports Complex on April 8-9, with 24 more places still available. The top eight finishers will progress to the final round, to be held in front of the Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap on April 14-16.

The overall champion will receive US$1,000, runner-up $700, third place $400 and fourth place $200, according to the event organiser Em Heang. Games will last a maximum of one hour each, with traditional Cambodian chess rules in play.