Vietnamese chess prodigies shine at Asian Championship

Vietnamese chess prodigies Dau Khuong Duy and Pham Tran Gia Phuc are making impressive strides at the Asian Chess Championship 2026, signaling a bright future for Vietnam in the sport. Fifteen-year-old Dau Khuong Duy has maintained an undefeated streak through eight rounds, showcasing remarkable composure against seasoned grandmasters. His performance includes two decisive wins and five draws, accumulating 5.5 points and highlighting his significant talent at such a young age.

“

The 15-year-old, who has not yet celebrated his 15th birthday, not losing to any master in the tournament shows considerable class.

Seventeen-year-old Pham Tran Gia Phuc is also demonstrating notable development, particularly in his pursuit of the final Grandmaster (GM) norm. He has faced a challenging path, competing against five international grandmasters. Despite the high level of competition, Phuc has secured one win, three draws, and only one loss against a top-rated Chinese Super Grandmaster. His performance indicates he is on the cusp of achieving a career-defining title, which requires facing at least three grandmasters and achieving a performance rating of 2600 or higher.

“

The 17-year-old has faced 5 international grandmasters in his quest for the final GM norm.

Experts note that Phuc's skill level is on par with many grandmasters participating in the tournament. The article also contextualizes Asia's growing prominence in the chess world, citing that four of the top 10 highest-rated players globally are from Asia, with Vietnam represented by Le Quang Liem. This regional strength is further evidenced by the presence of top players from Uzbekistan, India, and China. The strong performance of Duy and Phuc at this high-caliber Asian championship underscores Vietnam's rising potential in international chess.

“

The Asian Chess Championship is therefore a very high-level tournament.