The four-member team namely Thao Nguyen (ELO 2,393), Mai Hung (ELO 2,512), Thien Kim (ELO 2,226) and Bich Ngoc (ELO 2,172) faced tough competition from US rivals with higher ELO ratings. But Thao Nguyen thrashed key player Zatonskih while Thien Kim and Bich Ngoc also won the glory. Only Mai Hung failed.
With their win, the Vietnamese have climbed to 16th place in the Olympiad’s rankings, and will face players from the Czech Republic in the sixth round.
In the men’s chess event, Vietnam was held to a 2-2 draw by Georgia in the fifth round, and will meet Egyptian rivals in the next round.
