Lai Ly Huynh shines brightly at the National First-class Chess Tournament 2016

The National First-class Chess Tournament 2016 has ended and Lai Ly Huynh became the first player in Vietnam that won double golden medals (of rapid chess and standard chess) of high-class chess. In particular, the leading chess players of Binh Duong played very impressively and won the championship title at the most category, standard chess.

After obtaining the gold medal of rapid chess, Lai Ly Huynh tried his best to prove himself at the most category, standard chess. The way to the Vietnam chess throne in 2016 of Lai Ly Huynh was very arduous but glorious. At the first round, the player did not use much endeavor to defeat Diep Khai Hang, but following rounds were really dramatic, intense, required real bravery to pass. After drawing against Tran Chanh Tam (HCMC) at the 2^nd round, Lai Ly Huynh was disadvantaged, when his teammate Tran Quoc Viet (Binh Duong) split the score in the draw math at 3^rd round. At 4^th round, Lai Ly Huynh met his bane, Vo Minh Nhat (Binh Phuoc), who defeated Lai Ly Huynh at the final round of the latest national sports games.

Lai Ly Huynh back (left) at the decisive victory against Nguyen Minh Nhat Quang to win the championship 

Lai Ly Huynh then excellently triumphed over former champion Vo Minh Nhat (Binh Phuoc, 3 points); successfully conquered the 5^th round with the victory against Nguyen Khanh Ngoc (Hanoi, the top spot), the 6^th round over Vu Huu Cuong (Hanoi, 4 points, second spot), and the 7^th round over Tran Quang Nhat (Binh Dinh, 4.5 points) to take the lead in the chart. Entering the 8^th round, Lai Ly Huynh’s challenge was at the highest level, when he fought against No. 1 chess player of Danang, Tran Van Ninh (5 points). Despite many disadvantages, he ultimately ended the game in a draw and continued leading the tournament after 8 games.

Entering the 9th game, Lai Ly Huynh (7 points) met top-classed player Nguyen Hoang Lam (HCMC, 5.5 points), who won a silver medal of Asia. With a firm stuff and steadiness, Lai Ly Huynh defeated his equal. His next opponent was chess prodigy Nguyen Minh Nhat Quang (HCMC, 6.5 points), who won against Lai Ly Huynh2 times in 4 latest tournaments. However, Binh Duong player did not disappoint his fans as beating convincingly Nhat Quang at the 10^th game to crown the championship before the final.

Commenting on the championship, Mr. Nguyen Van Quynh, QQ Chinese chess clubhouse (Binh Duong), said compared to the championship in 2013 (at HCMC) and in 2014 (Vung Tau), this year, Lai Ly Huynh had encountered greater challenges, because all rivals wanted to beat the No. 1 player of Binh Duong. But after the training trip in China, Lai Ly Huynh advanced in his skills, played unpredictably and flexibly, thus obtained the gold medal excellently.

Reported by Chi Thanh – Translated by Ngoc Huynh