The Vietnam chess team came fifth out of 30 competitors at the Asian Chess Club Championship in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on January 1, winning a US$ 4,000 cash-prize.

Vietnam’s four-member squad included Grand Masters (GM) Dao Thien Hai, Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, Nguyen Anh Dung and Nguyen Van Huy.

The team drew UAE’s Al Ain 2-2 in the last game on January 1.

The UAE team was one of the strongest opponents at the debut tournament after reeling in grand master Sergey Karjakin from Ukraine to play for them. Karjakin was the youngest ever player to became a Grand Master at just 12 years of age.

Quang Ninh-born Nguyen Anh Dung beat Jobava Baadur, but the win didn’t keep Vietnam on top for long - Nguyen Van Huy was beaten soon after in his game against Li Chao.

Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son drew with Sergey Karjakin before Dao Thien Hai tied with Efimenkok Zahar.

The game was a major feat for Son, as 18-year-old Karjakin was ranked No. 15 in the world.

In 2002, Son became the second youngest International GM in world chess history at just 14 years of age.

The draw against Vietnam took UAE’s Al Ain to first place, winning him US$ 20,000. China’s Qi Yuan came second and Iran’s Fajr Shams finished third.

Last month, Vietnam’s men’s team, led by Son and Le Quang Liem, made it to the top eight in the Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany, after five wins and two draws.

It’s also the first time Vietnam has been in the top ten at the world chess event.

Chess has become one of Vietnam’s strongest sports at several international and regional competitions. (VNA)