In a pivotal round 4 matchup, the Vietnamese men's team faced the formidable and reigning champions, Uzbekistan.

The high-stakes game featured encounters with some of the world’s top players, including the world number 6, Abdusattorov Nodirbek, and the chess prodigy, Javokhir Sindarov. Both teams had previously won all their matches, setting the stage for a tense showdown.

Vietnamese players Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son and Le Tuan Minh orchestrated major upsets by defeating Javokhir Sindarov and Abdusattorov Nodirbek, respectively.

Meanwhile, Le Quang Liem and Tran Tuan Minh secured draws against their opponents, leading to a decisive 3-1 victory for Vietnam over Uzbekistan.

This remarkable win has propelled the Vietnamese team to fourth place in the overall rankings. Le Quang Liem and his teammates are set to face the Polish team in the upcoming fifth round, continuing their pursuit of championship glory.

The women's team faced a tough match against Armenia, resulting in a 1-3 loss, but still holds a respectable sixteenth place ranking.

The team, comprised of Pham Le Thao Nguyen, Vo Thi Kim Phung, Luong Phuong Hanh, and Le Thanh Tu, is poised to meet Montenegro in round 5, aiming to improve their standing.

The 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad, running from September 10-23, attracts a vast array of talent with 979 male and 914 female players from 196 countries competing.

The event is known for its rigorous format, consisting of 11 rounds played according to the Swiss system, featuring both rapid and classical time controls.

The men’s team includes Grandmasters Le Quang Liem, Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, Le Tuan Minh, Tran Tuan Minh, and FIDE Master Banh Gia Huy.

The women’s roster boasts International Master/Woman Grandmaster Pham Le Thao Nguyen, Woman Grandmasters Vo Thi Kim Phung and Le Thanh Tu, and Woman International Masters Luong Phuong Hanh and Bach Ngoc Thuy Duong.

As the Olympiad progresses, the Vietnamese teams continue to demonstrate their skill and determination, underscoring Vietnam's growing prominence in the international chess arena and fostering national pride.

Dai Nam