Thirty-four national junior teams from 24 countries arrived to Singapore to participate in the games of the 12th World Youth Olympiad. Among them three IMs (with top seed, 13-year-old Filipino prodigy Wesley So) and a number of FMs. Although the pool comprised mostly of Asian teams some strong European sides participated, like Hungary, Switzerland and England. Ukraine, the titleholders withdrew hours before the opening ceremony. It is interesting to add, that even European and North American teams comprised mostly of promising players of Asian descent. As far as Elo list was concerned, it was a two horse race: India and Hungary. The rest might had been hoping at most for bronze medals.

The event was a ten round Swiss. On the opening day Hungary dropped as much as 1½ point vs Malaysia (FM Mihók lost to unrated player) while India made a rousing start wiping out USA 4-0. The Philippines (IM So + unrated newbies) showed good shape defeating Switzerland 3-1. On day two India first drew vs Indonesia but bounced back later on that day hammering Iceland 4-0; Hungary first beat Singapore "B" 3-1 (Mihók lost again!), then took clear 4-0 win against Singapore "D" (yes!). Uzbekistan and India were in shared lead after three rounds. Day three turned to be decisive. In the morning India drew with Uzbekistan while Hungary beat the Philippines by the narrow margin to level on points with the leading duo. In round 5 Hungary met India in the match at the top. The Indians scored a thumping 3½-½ to earn decisive moral and point advantage. The rest was believed to be an easy run for India who demolished Turkey on round 6, while Hungary had another bad day scoring rather unremarkable 2-2 vs Australia. The Philippines beat Uzbekistan to move to second position. The shocker came later on that day: the Philippines beat India 3-1! Swayams Mishra's win at bottom board wasn't enough to compensate unexpected losses at boards #1 to #3. Meanwhile, Hungary's nightmare continued, as they barely drew with Turkey to stay at disastrous 10th. India were still in the lead at 20 points, just a single point ahead of the Philippines (19) and Uzbekistan (18½). The rest day was crucial for the favourites. On day 5 (rounds 8&9) India beat 2½-1½ Australia and Iran respectively, while Hungary took two 4-0's in a row (at last!) to move half of a point behind the leaders. The Philippines retained third spot despite dropping two match draws vs Singapore and Austalia. Uzbekistan lost 4-0 to Hungary and were out of play. The last round was full of tension, and India barely managed to hang on their modest lead. They beat Singapore 3-1 but Hungary's top board FM Fodor lost to Miss Irine Kharisma of Indonesia to drop the decisive point and keep Hungary at second place. The Philippines easily defended bronze medals.

India's success was fully deserved (despite poor loss vs the Philippines) and all five members of the team contributed to the overall victory. Hungary were disappointing all along. A team rated at 2437 performed at poor 2280! Mihók was unable to play at his average level and Prohászka's (Elo 2486) score looks decent (6/9) but he had exceptionally poor opposition. Bronze for the Philippines was a sensation. It was fantastic Wesley So who contributed mostly to the success (9½/10, Elo performed 2736), another individual medal was won by H.Pascua at board #3. Other remarkable results: FM Nazreen Bakri Anas (Malaysia), 8½/10 at top board; Junta Ikeda (Australia) 6½/8 at board #2; Hlanganiso Gondwe (Zambia), 8/10 - winner at board #3.