Representatives of more than 30 foreign countries participate in the RSSU Cup, Moscow Open. Today we have decided to talk to two brothers – chess players from Vietnam –Tran Tuan Minh and Thang Minh Tran, playing in the main tournament – the Men’s Cup of Russia.
- Thang, Minh, hello! Are you for the first time in Russia?
Thang Minh Tran: We’ve been to Russia many times: took part in the Mikhail Chigorin memorial in St. Petersburg, played in the Junior World Championship (Khanty-Mansiysk – editorial remark), and even had a chance to play in the Team Blitz Chess Championship of Moscow.
- It’s interesting! And how did it come out that you played in the Team Championship of Moscow?
Tran Tuan Minh: Moscow is the best place for chess players from all over the world, including me. Usually strong players participate in Russian tournaments, here we can gain some experience. Besides, I always spend great time in Moscow, we have many friends here.
Thang Minh Tran: Russia is the biggest chess country in the world, with a dozen of the strongest players and hundreds of grandmasters. I would compare your country with a five star resort for all of the chess players. I never miss a chance to play in Russian tournaments.
- Thang, as far as I know you don’t study in the university yet. What university do you want to enter, don’t you want to study in Russia?
Thang Minh Tran: Now I’m going to the sports school where I study academic subjects and play chess. I’m not sure I will enter any university in future as I consider myself to be a professional chess player and want to continue it with the chess.
- Tell us about your trainings, please. Does anyone of the Russian coaches help you?
- Thang Minh Tran: Usually I’m training 5-6 hours per day. I am playing on different chess internet portals, obligatory solve 20 chess problems a day to improve my tactic skills. Besides, now I’m working with the grandmaster from Ukraine Alexander Moiseenko. I consider him to be a very strong player and coach.
- Which of your chess achievements can you single out?
Tran Tuan Minh: In 2014 I won the Junior Championship of Asia, took the second place in the Championship of Vietnam, and not so long ago I won the Open Championship of Philippines.
Thang Minh Tran: In 2008 Vietnam hosted the Children’s World Championship, and I became the winner in the U10 age category, I won the Children’s World Championship six times, and last year I won a bronze medal of the U16 World Junior Championship. If to speak of the adult chess competitions I can single out the last year’s result at the Men’s Championship of my country – I won a bronze medal.
- What about Russia do you like above all? Do you plan to come here again?
Tran Tuan Minh: Russia is a big country with rich culture, I love Russian national dances, classical music by the Russian composers and ballet.
Thang Minh Tran: For me it’s more important to meet my friends in Moscow, next year I want to come back to the Moscow Open.
Alina Bivol asked questions