GM Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy. — Photo bchessclub.vn

HA NOI (VNS) — Vietnamese grandmasters (GM) yesterday drew with their Armenian counterparts in the penultimate match of the World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway.

GM Nguyen Duc Hoa was the only Vietnamese player to win a match. He defeated GM Sergei Movsesian. GMs Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son and Le Quang Liem drew with two players who had higher Elo ratings.

GM Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy, however, could not achieve a surprise win over GM Vladimir Akopian in the fourth match.

The Vietnamese players have five points and are ranked No 18. They will face Spain in the final round.

The women's team, meanwhile, lost 1.5-2.5 to the US players.

International master (IM) Pham Le Thao Nguyen had a perfect win over GM Sabina-Francesca Foisor.

Viet Nam's champion WIM Nguyen Thi Mai Hung drew her game with GM Irina Krush.

However, her teammates were defeated in the rest two matches.

The team, now placed No 29, will next play El Salvador. — VNS