The Vietnamese national chess team will participate in the 2026 World Chess Olympiad, set to unfold in Uzbekistan from September 15 to 28. This event comes as the country seeks to build on its recent international performances, despite chess's absence from this year's Asian Games in Japan. Organized biennially by the International Chess Federation, the Olympiad remains a cornerstone of global chess competition.
Vietnam's chess community is gearing up for a significant challenge ahead. The national team has confirmed its entry into the 2026 World Chess Olympiad, a prestigious biennial tournament hosted by the International Chess Federation (FIDE). Scheduled for Uzbekistan between September 15 and 28, the event will feature standard chess matches adhering to FIDE regulations, drawing top players from around the world.
This participation follows a mixed but promising showing at the 2024 edition. There, the Vietnamese men's team finished 25th overall, while the women's team placed 23rd. The highlight came from individual efforts, with Le Tuan Minh claiming bronze in third place after scoring nine out of 11 points—Vietnam's sole medal from the competition. In contrast, India dominated by winning both the men's and women's divisions, with the United States taking silver in the men's category and host Uzbekistan securing bronze.
The decision to join the 2026 Olympiad underscores Vietnam's commitment to international competition, especially as chess was omitted from the 20th Asian Games in Japan this year. By competing in this high-stakes arena, Vietnamese players aim to sharpen their skills and elevate the nation's standing in the sport. The Olympiad, one of chess's most revered gatherings, provides a vital platform for such development, fostering tactical growth and global exposure.