Quang Liem helps Vietnam defeat China in rapid chess final

Vietnam's number one chess player defeated Wang Yue on board one, helping the country's chess team win the second gold medal at the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.

Despite not being in good form before the final, Vietnam still excellently defeated the world chess powerhouse in the men's rapid chess team event with a score of 1.5-0.5. Contributing greatly to the glory of the Vietnamese team once again was Le Quang Liem (Elo rapid chess 2,756). Seated at table one, the player from Ho Chi Minh City forced Wang Yue (2,690) to surrender.

Quang Liem (left) and Truong Son brought home the 12th gold medal for Vietnam at AIMAG 5. Photo: Doan Binh.

That result ensured Vietnam won the gold medal without considering the remaining game, which took place at the same time between Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (2.721) and Li Chao (2.678). Even if Truong Son lost and the two teams tied, the first criterion would be the result of goal one.

However, Truong Son drew with Li Chao and helped Vietnam win by a large margin. According to experts, it was surprising that Quang Liem and Truong Son defeated the Chinese pair without a tie-break, even though their rapid chess Elo rating was higher than their opponents.

This is the second gold medal for Vietnamese chess at AIMAG 5, and also the second time Quang Liem has received the highest award. Vietnam’s number one chess player still has one event left, which is the men’s team blitz chess, taking place tomorrow, September 27 – the final competition day of the Congress.

Quang Liem and Truong Son will continue to participate in the blitz chess team tomorrow, September 27. Photo: Doan Binh.

Quang Liem (Elo 2,762 blitz) continues to pair up with Truong Son (2,654), as the number one seeded duo.In this event, China sent Wang Yue (2,683) and Yu Yangyi (2,680). Of which, Yu is currently ranked second in China in standard chess.

In the remaining three rapid chess finals of the day, China won two gold medals in the U23 team and women's team. In addition to the silver medal in the men's team, they also won the silver medal in the women's U23 team after losing to Kazakhstan in the final.

According to VNE