The National First-Division Chess Championships is scheduled to begin on Sunday in HCM City.

The event, lasting until April 23, will not see the participation of two Grandmasters Le Quang Liem and Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son who are occupied at other events.

The tournament will be fought out between veterans such as Dao Thien Hai, Cao Sang, Nguyen Duc Hoa and Nguyen Van Huy in the men's event, while international masters Pham Le Thao Nguyen, Nguyen Thi Mai Hung, Hoang Thi Nhu Y and Le Thanh Tu will compete for the women's title.

Another chess event, National Junior Chess Championships, will also open in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong on July 12-19.-VNS