Vietnamese chess players rise to the top of the world chess tournament

After the first four rounds, Vietnamese chess player Nguyen Thanh Bao has excelled in taking the lead at the World Chinese Chess Championship with 8 points.

Vietnamese chess player Nguyen Thanh Bao (left) excellently led the tournament after the first four rounds - Photo: Thang Long Ky Dao

As of the morning of September 24, at the world chess tournament, there were only two players who had won all the men's singles, Nguyen Thanh Bao (Vietnam) and Manh Phan Due of China (both with 8 points after 4 games). However, Thanh Bao temporarily took the lead thanks to his superior Buchholz score (22 compared to 14).

While Manh Phồn Due easily defeated players from Russia, Myanmar and Belarus - countries that are not strong in Chinese chess, Nguyen Thanh Bao overcame more difficult opponents. These included players from Japan, Malaysia and Taiwan.

Along with Thanh Bao, another Vietnamese player, Lai Ly Huynh, is also playing impressively. He has 7 points after 4 games (3 wins, 1 draw), temporarily ranking 3rd and closely following the leading group. Notably, the match between Ly Huynh and Fung Tony Ga Zen (Hong Kong) lasted more than 5 hours, showing his perseverance and admirable courage.

Thanks to the high positions of both players, the Vietnamese team is currently leading the team championship race, opening up hopes of a historic victory.

The highlight of match 5 (taking place at 12 noon on September 24, Vietnam time) is the fierce battle on table 1 between Nguyen Thanh Bao and Manh Phon Due.

This is not only a battle for the top spot but also a competition between two generations: an experienced 47-year-old "veteran" and a 17-year-old "prodigy" of Chinese chess. The advantage of going first with the red pieces will belong to the Vietnamese representative.

Chess player Nguyen Thanh Bao was born in 1978 in Nam Dinh , was a three-time national champion and is the Vietnamese player with the highest achievement at the world chess tournament (silver medal in 2009). His achievement is expected to create a turning point at this year's tournament.

The 2025 World Xiangqi Championship is taking place in Shanghai, China, with 51 players participating. This is a tournament that China has won all 18 times before.

TUAN LONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ky-thu-viet-nam-vuon-len-dan-dau-tai-giai-co-tuong-the-gioi-2025092407410247.htm