VIET NAM HAND EARLY EXIT TO ARMENIA

Viet Nam News, Vietnam
May 23 2007

HA NOI – Viet Nam beat favourites Armenia 2.5-1.5 in the second round
of the inaugural World Women’s Team Chess Championship in Russia
on Monday.

The Vietnamese team – International Grand Master (IGM) and Asian Youth
Championship winner Hoang Thi Bao Tram, FIDE masters Hoang Thanh Trang,
Le Thanh Tu and Pham Le Thao Nguyen – scored two wins and a draw in
Ekaterinburg, Russia.

It was the second defeat for Armernia, Europe’s best team, following
their opening loss to Ukraine on Sunday.

Earlier at the event, which brings together ten of the best teams in
the world, Viet Nam were crushed 0.5-3.5 by powerhouses China in the
first round.

IGM and two-time National First Class Chess Championship winner
Nguyen Thi Thanh An drew with Sheng Yang on the 4th board. However,
Kim lost to Chinese No 3, IGM Zhao Xue; Tu was defeated by No 4,
IGM Hou Yifan; while Tram lost to No 11, Ruan Lufei in the last game.

Viet Nam were drawn to meet powerhouses Russia in the third round,
scheduled to be played yesterday.

China, Georgia, Ukraine, and Poland have managed to win their first
two qualifiers.

The tournament, which runs until Sunday, has attracted four continental
team champions and the top five teams at the last Olympiad.

Viet Nam won the 2005 Asian Women’s Team Championship.