After 10 rounds in Samarkand, both Vietnamese national teams are positioned higher than their initial seedings. The women's team, seeded 21st, currently sits in 5th place with 16 points. The men's team, initially seeded 47th, is ranked 19th with 14 points. Young male players made their mark by achieving two grandmaster (GM) norms in a single round.

In the Open section, Vietnam defeated Norway 3-1 in round 10. All three of the team's points came from victories against grandmasters. Dau Khuong Duy defeated Johan-Sebastian Christiansen, Banh Gia Huy beat Elham Amar, and Nguyen Quoc Hy overcame Frode Olav Olsen Urkedal. On the remaining board, Pham Tran Gia Phuc lost to Aksel Bu Kvaloy.

Dau Khuong Duy, Banh Gia Huy, and Nguyen Quoc Hy (from left to right) at the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on 25/9/2026. *Photo: FIDE*

Norway, seeded 21st in the Open section, is home to Magnus Carlsen, but the five-time world champion is not competing in this year's Olympiad.

Quoc Hy's victory secured his first grandmaster norm of his career. After nine games, Quoc Hy remained undefeated, earning 7,5 points and achieving a performance rating (rp) of 2690. He faced five grandmasters, winning two games and drawing three. Quoc Hy is the third Vietnamese player to achieve a GM norm at the Olympiad, following Le Quang Liem and Nguyen Duc Hoa.

Gia Huy also won his 10th game to complete a grandmaster norm. He scored 7,5/10 points with an rp of 2620, encountering five grandmasters and earning three points from two wins, two draws, and one loss. This marks the first time in Vietnamese chess history that two players have achieved GM norms at the same Olympiad.

For Gia Huy, this is his second grandmaster norm. He previously achieved a norm at a qualifying tournament in Quang Ninh in 6/2025 with an rp of 2601. Khuong Duy also has two grandmaster norms, including one from the Bangkok Open in 4/2026 with an rp of 2668 and another from the Levente Lengyel qualifying tournament in 7/2024 with an rp of 2616.

Gia Phuc also has two norms, achieved in Budapest in 2/2024 with an rp of 2620 and Quang Ninh in 5/2024 with an rp of 2604, respectively. However, his loss in round 10 ended his chances of achieving a third norm at the Olympiad, as his current rp is 2479.

Khuong Duy is also on the verge of completing his three norms. After 10 rounds, he has two grandmaster norms and his Elo rating has surpassed 2500. If he defeats an opponent with an Elo rating of 2560 or higher in the final round, Khuong Duy could achieve his third norm and qualify for the grandmaster title.

The achievements of Khuong Duy, Gia Huy, and Quoc Hy have contributed to a remarkable tournament for the Vietnamese men's team, despite the absence of several experienced players. Le Quang Liem, Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, and Le Tuan Minh are not participating, so the Vietnam Chess Federation sent young players to Samarkand to gain experience for the future. Before the final round, the men's team has won six matches, drawn two, and lost two, accumulating 14 points to rank 19th. Vietnam is also leading Group B and is in the top 20, significantly higher than its initial seeding of 47.

Pham Le Thao Nguyen (right) during her game against Nurgyul Salimova on board one, as Vietnam faced Bulgaria in round 9 of the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on 25/9/2026. *Photo: FIDE*

In the women's section, Vietnam has also surprised by rising to the top group. After 10 rounds, the team is in 5th place with 16 points, tied with 4th-placed Poland but ranked lower on tie-breaks. China leads with 18 points, Kazakhstan is second with 17 points, and India is third with 16 points.

The women's team has won eight matches and lost two after 10 rounds. In round 10, Vietnam defeated Indonesia 2,5-1,5 in a tense match. Vo Thi Kim Phung and Luong Phuong Hanh secured wins, Nguyen Thi Mai Hung drew, while Bach Ngoc Thuy Duong lost to Laysa Lafitah. If they maintain this position, it will be the first time a Vietnamese chess team finishes an Olympiad in the top 5.

The Chess Olympiad is the world team championship, often called the "Olympics of chess," and is the largest global event for this intellectual sport. Organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) once every two years, it gathers top players from approximately 200 countries and territories.

The 2026 Chess Olympiad is taking place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 16 to 27/9, comprising 11 rounds. The Open section features 205 countries and territories, while the women's section has 188 teams. Each match consists of four boards, with one point awarded for a win, 0,5 points for a draw, and no points for a loss.

This year, for the first time in over 20 years, Vietnam is without both Le Quang Liem and Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son. Grandmaster Le Tuan Minh is also absent. Therefore, the Vietnam Chess Federation dispatched young players to participate, building a foundation for the future. Currently, the focus is on Khuong Duy's opportunity to complete his grandmaster norm, alongside the men's team maintaining a top 20 position. For the women's team, their 5th place position offers a chance to finish the tournament among the top contenders.

The final round will commence at 13h on Sunday, 27/9, Hanoi time.

Xuan Binh