VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnam Chess Federation has signed a 4-year sponsor contract for Vietnam’s two top chess great masters – Le Quang Liem and Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son.
Ranking 28th (Elo 2714) in the world, Le Quang Liem will receive $150,000 while Truong Son, the world’s 83rd chess player (Elo 2662) will have $50,000 in four years.

The sponsor contract will take effect as of January 1, 2012. The funding will be provided on annual basis, with $30,000 in the first year, $35,000, $40,000 and $45,000 in the subsequent years for Quang Liem. Truong Son will receive $10,000, $12,000, $13,000 and $15,000, respectively.

According to the contract, Quang Liem and Truong Son will have the full right to use the funding to hire coaches, purchase tools, etc. The two chess grand masters will have to report to the Vietnam Chess Federation and the two sides will re-consider the contract on annual basis. The federation can raise funding for the two players if they achieve outstanding results.

Liem and Son told the press after the signing ceremony that the funding is the great encouragement for them to strive for higher achievements in the future.

“With the funding, I will be able to join many international competitions in 2012,” Quang Liem said.

Truong Son said that he would not hire coaches but train himself by his own methods. Like Quang Liem, he will participate in many international events next year.
Explaining about the difference between the funding for Quang Liem and Truong Son, the Vietnam Chess Federation’s Secretary General Luong Trong Minh said that Quang Liem is in the world’s top 30, so Liem has to receive more funding than Truong Son. However, Minh confirmed that the funding will be adjusted annually, based on the achievement of players.

He also said that the Vietnam Chess Federation is seeking sources of funding for other chess talented players, giving priority to young, female players and grand masters.

The Vietnam Chess Federation expects that the funding will be the motive force to encourage Vietnamese chess players to try their best to reach new peaks.

Quang Liem and Truong Son are preparing for the SEA Games 2011 in Indonesia. Chess competition will take place from November 12 to 21 in Palembang.

TA