Dong Nai chess players win five golds at ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships 2026

Chess players from Dong Nai City contributed five gold medals to Vietnam's first-place overall team finish at the ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships 2026, held in Singapore.

FIDE Master Tran Ngoc Minh Duy on the podium after winning the individual U18 gold medal in standard chess.

The ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships 2026 concluded on August 16 with the final day of blitz competition for the various age categories in Singapore.

At the end of the tournament, Dong Nai City players representing the Vietnam youth chess team delivered strong performances, winning five gold medals, one silver medal, and three bronze medals.

Tran Ngoc Minh Duy competes at the tournament.

FIDE Master (FM) Tran Ngoc Minh Duy was the standout performer, winning three gold medals, one individual and two team titles, and one bronze medal. His achievements included the individual U18 standard gold medal after scoring 6.5 points from nine unbeaten games, the men's U18 team gold in standard chess, the men's team gold in blitz, and the individual U18 bronze in blitz. Notably, by winning the individual U18 standard title at the 24th Southeast Asian Youth Age-Group Chess Championships, Tran Ngoc Minh Duy earned the direct title of International Master (IM).

Tran Ngoc Minh Duy and his teammates celebrate his individual U18 standard gold medal.

WFM Thai Ngoc Tuong Minh won a women's team gold medal and an individual bronze medal in the women's U20 standard event. The achievement also earned Tuong Minh one Woman International Master (WIM) norm. Meanwhile, young player Nguyen Pham Lam Thu won a gold medal in the women's team event, an individual silver in the women's U8 rapid event, and an individual bronze in the women's U8 blitz event.

Thai Ngoc Tuong Minh and her teammates receive the gold medal for the women's U20 standard team.

Vietnam's youth chess team finished the tournament as the overall champion, dominating the standings with 117 gold, 32 silver, and 84 bronze medals. The Philippines finished second with 24 gold, 36 silver, and 22 bronze medals, while hosts Singapore placed third with five gold, 31 silver, and 33 bronze medals.

Young player Nguyen Pham Lam Thu and her teammates receive the women's U8 rapid team gold medal.

The 24th ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships 2026, commonly referred to as the Southeast Asian Chess Championships, took place from August 7 to 17 in Singapore, with 177 young Vietnamese players taking part.

By Huy Anh – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho