Top Vietnamese Chess Player Retires from Standard National Team Competitions

Nguyễn Ngọc Trường Sơn, widely regarded as one of Vietnam's top two chess players over the past two decades, has announced his decision to retire from standard chess competitions for the national team. The announcement comes amidst ongoing discussions and controversies surrounding the Vietnamese chess team and its federation.

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Hello everyone. In recent days, information about the Vietnamese team participating in the Olympiad has received much attention. As a member who has been with the team for the past 20 years, Sơn wants to share more clearly about the reasons why I am not participating in this year's Olympiad and my perspective on the situation of Vietnamese chess.

Sơn's decision follows similar statements from other prominent players, including Lê Quang Liêm, who explained his absence from the prestigious Olympiad. Other experienced players like Lê Tuấn Minh and female players Lương Phương Hạnh and Phạm Lê Thảo Nguyên have also voiced frustrations regarding team selection and administrative issues, including being excluded due to late registration in a Zalo chat group.

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For me, this absence is part of a bigger decision: officially stopping standard chess competitions in the national team uniform. After more than 30 years of competition, I realize that age has begun to significantly affect my stamina and concentration.

In a detailed social media post on May 24, Sơn elaborated on his reasons for stepping away from standard chess. He stated that after more than 30 years of competition, age has begun to affect his stamina and concentration. "For me, this absence is part of a bigger decision: officially stopping standard chess competitions in the national team uniform," Sơn wrote. He also pointed to "inadequacies in management and funding over many years" as contributing factors.

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Too few opportunities for sparring make it impossible for Sơn to maintain the expected form. Therefore, proactively stepping back at this time is necessary to give opportunities to players with better spirit and form.

While Sơn is retiring from standard chess, he plans to continue participating in rapid and blitz chess events, which he finds less physically demanding. He also mentioned a preference for online tournaments due to reduced procedural and financial burdens, allowing for a better life-work balance. Sơn expressed his willingness to contribute to the team if the selection process is objective and based on professional merit, but cited insufficient opportunities for competitive experience as a reason for his declining form.

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This change helps Sơn conveniently arrange his schedule, reduce the pressure of procedures and costs, and better balance competition and life.