Dinh Nho Kiet, a promising 16-year-old Vietnamese chess player, has earned the prestigious International Master (IM) title. He secured his third and final norm at the Hanoi grandmaster tournament this morning, january 5, meeting the requirements set by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

In the ninth and final round of the tournament, Kiet drew with Indian international master Ravi Teja. This result brought his total score to 5,5 points after 9 games. His performance rating for the tournament reached 2,474, surpassing the 2,450 required to achieve an IM norm.

Dinh Nho Kiet at the Hanoi international grandmaster chess tournament, in Bach Mai ward, 1/2026. Photo: Bui Vinh

Dinh Nho Kiet at the Hanoi international grandmaster chess tournament, in Bach Mai ward, 1/2026. Photo: Bui Vinh

During his 9 games, Kiet notably defeated grandmaster (GM) Tu Hoang Thong, IM Lee Jun-hyeok, and Laohawirapap Prin. He also drew with GM John Paul Gomez, Daniel Quizon, IM Wynn Zaw Htun, Ravi, and FM Alexander Chernyavsky. His only loss was against IM Pham Tran Gia Phuc. Overall, Kiet gained 18,4 Elo points, increasing his live Elo rating to 2,344,4.

This achievement marks Kiet's third and final norm. He previously earned two norms: one at the Quang Ninh international grandmaster tournament in 5/2024, and another at the Singapore Open in 12/2024. Kiet also surpassed the 2,400 Elo mark, reaching a high of 2,404 Elo in 6/2024.

Kiet is the fourth player under 20 in Vietnam to earn the IM title, following Dau Khuong Duy, Gia Phuc, and Banh Gia Huy. Khuong Duy achieved this milestone in 2024, at just 13 years old.

International Master is the second highest title awarded by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) to male and female players, ranking after grandmaster. Among active players globally, there are over 1,000 GMs and over 2,000 IMs.

To become an IM, a player needs to achieve three norms and maintain an Elo rating of 2,400 or higher at any point in time. A player earns an IM norm by achieving a performance rating of 2,450 or more over 9 games in a tournament that includes players from at least three federations and features three or more IMs.

Born in Hanoi in 2010, Dinh Nho Kiet is part of Vietnam's promising generation of players born between 2009 and 2011, alongside Khuong Duy, Gia Huy, Gia Phuc, and Tran Ngoc Minh Duy. Despite his talent, Kiet rarely competes in norm-seeking or international open tournaments compared to his 4 peers.

Xuan Binh