Vietnamese chess team heads to Uzbekistan for 2026 Olympiad

Members of Vietnam's chess team left from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City late Sunday for the world's biggest team chess event, with five male players competing in the open section and five female players in the women's section.

The Olympiad will feature 11 rounds under the Swiss system.

The event is expected to set a participation record, following the 2024 Olympiad in Budapest, which drew nearly 200 countries.

In the women's section, Vietnam is seeded 21st with an average Elo rating of 2,287 and will compete under the guidance of coach-captain Bui Vinh.

The five female players traveling to Samarkand are Grandmaster Pham Le Thao Nguyen (2,348), Vo Thi Kim Phung (2,311), Nguyen Thi Mai Hung (2,277), Luong Phuong Hanh (2,210) and International Master Bach Ngoc Thuy Duong (2,098).

These experienced players are aiming for a high finish at the tournament.

Meanwhile, in the open section, Vietnam is seeded 47th with an average Elo rating of 2,456 and will be led by coach-captain Luong Trong Minh, who also coaches young talent Dau Khuong Duy.

The five male players in the open section are International Master Dau Khuong Duy (2,509), Banh Gia Huy (2,464), Nguyen Quoc Hy (2,428), International Master Pham Tran Gia Phuc (2,424) and FIDE Master Nguyen Hoang Nam (2,144).

This section features a new generation of Vietnamese players on the international stage, giving them opportunities to compete against some of the world’s leading players and super grandmasters.

Facing top-level opponents in Samarkand is expected to provide valuable experience for Vietnam’s young players as they continue to develop their skills.

The event will also give Vietnamese chess an opportunity to further assert its position on the international chess scene.