Vietnam’s no. 2 chess player Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son welcomed 2016 with good news as he moved up 19 notches to 105th position in the world men’s rankings for January announced recently by the World Chess Federation (FIDE).

Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, one of the top chess players of VN.

Son earned an additional seven elo points from the 2015 Qatar Masters Open taking place in the latter half of December, increasing his world rating from 2642 to 2649.

The 12-day tournament could be considered a success to the Vietnamese master as he finished 15th overall with six points after nine matches, just one point behind world no. 1 player Magnus Carlsen of Norway, who was crowned the champion.

Meanwhile, Vietnam’s top player Le Quang Liem dropped one place to 33rd in the world this month, which was also his November 2015 rating after making a stunning 17-place jump.

Playing no international matches in December, Liem is maintaining an elo rating of 2718. He is targeting to resume a place in the world’s top 30 players.

Nhan Dan