Grand Masters Le Quang Liem and Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son have been invited to take part in a rapid chess tournament. The Cap d'Agde is a prestigious event held every two years in France.
The competition, organised by chess magazine Europe Echecs, will be held on October 20-31 with 16 well known players of both genders and all ages competing for the title.
This year, Russia, France, Ukraine, Hungary, China, Qatar, Norway, Switzerland and the United States as well as Viet Nam will be represented.
Two groups will compete in a round robin format before the top four from each group advance to the knock-out stage.
Prize money of 48,000 euros (US$64,700) is on offer, of which the champion will take 16,000 euros ($21,600).
Athlete Hang to train in China
Southeast Asian champion Truong Thanh Hang will go on a short training course in China before competing at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou in November.
Hang will be in intensive training from October 15-November 18 in Kunming City. The venue has good geographical and climate conditions and top training facilities which she hopes will help her produce her best in her two strongest events, the 800m and 1,500m.
Hang, under coach Nguyen Thi Tu Tam, will train with Nguyen Dinh Cuong and Nguyen Van Ly who are also members of the national team.
Women to play in Asian qualifier
The second qualifier of the 2011 Asian Women's U19 Football Championship will be organised from October 21-30 in Malaysia.
Viet Nam, Thailand and Chinese Taipei received wildcards and will play Uzbekistan and Iran, the two best teams from the first round for the remaining berth in the final round.
Viet Nam will first meet Uzbekistan, then Iran, Taipei and Thailand respectively starting from October 23.
The winner will face Japan, South Korea, North Korea, China and Australian in the finals.
Viet Nam under coach Vu Quang Dong has been in training since mid-September in Vinh Phuc Province's Tam Dao area. They will leave for Malaysia on October 19.
Heavy fall from Asian U-19 games
Viet Nam were eliminated from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-19 Championship yesterday following their second heavy defeat in group C against the United Arab Emirates.
Viet Nam had only needed a draw to progress, but the defending champions were too strong, scoring three goals within 30 minutes before Omar Abdulrahman converted a penalty in the second half.
The loss left Viet Nam with the three points they had obtained from their 2-1 win over Jordan in the opener, and down in third place in the group.
The UAE, who had drawn 0-0 with Jordan, scraped through to the quarter-final behind Japan, who won all three of their matches. — VNS
