Vietnam's grandmaster Le Quang Liem has climbed to 17th place in the latest FIDE world rankings, released in February 2026. His Elo rating increased to 2,731 from 2,729. This marks a one-spot improvement from his previous 18th position.
Vietnam's chess grandmaster Le Quang Liem, aged 35, has achieved a notable rise in the global chess hierarchy. According to the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the February 2026 rankings place him at world number 17, up from 18th, with his Elo rating now standing at 2,731— a two-point gain from 2,729.
Liem's recent performances have fueled this ascent. In November 2025, he delivered Vietnam's strongest showing at the FIDE World Cup in India, reaching the fifth round. He followed this by representing Vietnam at the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Qatar that December. Based in the United States, Liem maintains rigorous training and competes frequently on the international circuit.
Looking ahead, Liem is slated to compete for Vietnam at the 2026 World Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan, set for September 15 to 28. His prior Olympic contribution came at the 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad in Hungary, where the Vietnamese men's team finished 25th and the women's team 23rd.
Among Vietnamese players, Liem leads the pack. Fellow grandmaster Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son holds steady at an Elo of 2,600, ranking 164th worldwide and serving as the nation's second-top male player.
This ranking update underscores Liem's consistent excellence and Vietnam's growing presence in elite chess.
