Organisers present medals to outstanding competitors in various events. — Photos courtesy of Bắc Ninh Province

BẮC NINH — HCM City topped the medal table at the 2026 National Chinese Chess Championship for Elite Players, winning 27 medals as the tournament concluded in Bắc Ninh Province after several days of competition.

The team secured seven gold, eight silver and 12 bronze medals. Quảng Ninh finished second with 12 medals, followed by Đồng Nai with seven and hosts Bắc Ninh with six.

The championship featured 106 players from seven provinces and cities: Thái Nguyên, Quảng Ninh, Hà Nội, Đà Nẵng, Đồng Nai, HCM City and Bắc Ninh.

Organisers present medals to outstanding competitors in various events.

Competitors were divided into Elite and Traditional Elite categories and competed in four disciplines, including rapid, blitz, super-blitz and standard chess, with separate men's and women's individual events.

In rapid chess, Nguyễn Quang Nhật of Quảng Ninh Province won gold in the men's Elite category, while Ngô Xuân Gia Huy of Đồng Nai Province claimed the men's Traditional Elite title. Nguyễn Hoàng Yến of HCM City took gold in the women's Elite category, and Trần Trà My of Bắc Ninh Province won the women's Traditional Elite title.

In blitz chess, Đào Văn Trọng of Quảng Ninh Province secured gold in the men's Elite category, while Nguyễn Anh Quỳnh of Hà Nội won the men's Traditional Elite title. Nguyễn Hoàng Yến of HCM City claimed the women's Elite gold medal, and Phạm Minh Châu of Quảng Ninh Province won the women's Traditional Elite event.

In super-blitz chess, Phan Nguyễn Công Minh of HCM City took gold in the men's Elite category, while Ngô Xuân Gia Huy of Đồng Nai Province won the men's Traditional Elite title. Đàm Thị Thùy Dung of HCM City claimed the women's Elite gold medal, and Trần Trà My of Bắc Ninh Province topped the women's Traditional Elite category.

In standard chess, Nguyễn Minh Nhật Quang and Đinh Hữu Pháp, both from HCM City, won gold in the men's Elite and Traditional Elite categories, respectively. Đàm Thị Thùy Dung of HCM City took the women's Elite title, while Đào Phạm Hà Linh of Quảng Ninh Province won gold in the women's Traditional Elite category.

Players compete at the 2026 National Chinese Chess Championship for Elite Players.

The tournament provided an opportunity for players to exchange experience, test their skills and improve their competitive standards. It also aimed to promote Chinese chess, identify promising players and develop the sport, which combines strategic thinking and intellectual skill. — VNS