Nhan Dan Online – The 2012 National First Class Chess Championships officially wrapped up in the southern province of Can Tho after ten days of competition.
Nguyen Duc Hoa from Can Tho was crowned champion in the men’s category after beating Hanoi’s Nguyen Van Huy in the finals, while Ho Chi Minh City’s Dao Thien Hai and Tu Hoang Thong both shared third prize.
Can Tho also dominated the women’s side when its female Grandmaster Pham Le Thao Nguyen overcame Nguyen Thi Thanh An from HCM City in the final game to claim the championship title. Meanwhile, the third place went to Kien Giang’s Pham Bich Ngoc and Thua Thien Hue’s Hoang Thi Nhu Y.
This year’s tournament brought together 66 male and female chess playersfrom 12 teams across the country, who competed under the nine-round Swiss system to determine the final winner in men’s and women’s individual categories.
The annual event, held by the Vietnam Chess Federation, aims to select the most outstanding players for the national team to prepare for upcoming regional and world competitions.