Reporter: Hi Nhung, congratulations on your excellent performance at the recent prestigious chess competition. How did you feel when you got such a good result?

Hong Nhung: This is the first time I have won a gold medal at a national tournament, so I'm really happy and surprised about myself. I also feel grateful for my teachers, family and friends for always helping and encouraging me both professionally and mentally.

Nguyen Hong Nhung raising her trophy at the awards ceremony

Reporter: How long have you been playing chess? Can you share with us one of your fondest memories with this game?

Hong Nhung: I have been playing chess for 10 years now, and I have had many memorable moments ever since. The fondest one was at a tournament in Singapore in 2015, which was the first time I experienced getting lost in a foreign country. Luckily, a kind bus driver drove me near the crew's residence, but I still hadn't really found my way yet because I didn't remember the route. It was only until I saw my fellow crew that I knew I was no longer lost.

Reporter: We know that you have taken part in various domestic and international tournaments. Can you tell us about your most memorable one?

Hong Nhung: My most memorable tournament is probably the one that I won. This is the first time the super blitz chess format has been included in the tournament, and also the first time I have won such a high prize. Getting to experience “first times” was quite refreshing. Besides, playing 27 chess matches in 3 days did not only leave me with a deep impression but also great fatigue.

Hong Nhung won the National Youth Chess Championship 2022 - SHB Cup

Reporter: Is there anyone within the chess community who has been your source of inspiration?

Hong Nhung: I really admire world champion Mikhail Tal for his extremely creative and bold gameplay. Although his tactical style of gameplay is no longer suitable today, the liberality and freedom he shows in his chess games has always been pleasant to watch.

Reporter: Have you encountered any difficulties balancing between studying and practicing chess?

Hong Nhung: Balancing between studying and practicing chess wasn’t too much of a problem for me. I can manage time studying in class, joining clubs at school and studying chess regularly. What I am most afraid of, though, is the long leaves of absence for the competitions, which I did take a lot. My teachers fortunately sympathized with me and so allowed me to skip school so much.

In addition to class time and time spent on the chess team, Hong Nhung (bottom row, far right) enthusiastically participated in school's soccer tournaments with her friends.

Reporter: For your last words, do you want to say anything to the readers and young people interested in the game of chess?

Hong Nhung: Chess has been with me even before I entered 1st grade and has given me many valuable experiences. This game is both challenging and extremely fascinating, where battles on the 64-cell chessboard can be as fierce as soccer matches. Players show their own personality through every move and a fighting spirit just by a glance of their eyes. Playing chess also trains each player’s ability to focus, persevere and be patient, so to all of you young people out there, don't ever be afraid to give this mental sport a try!

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In addition, Ams Wide Web would like to quote an extract of a new poem composed by an excellent teacher named Do Lenh Dien, Former Principal of Ams about the event of Nguyen Hong Nhung achieving a Gold Medal for the national championship tournament’s super blitz category - “Well done, Hong Nhung”:

The chess tournament held this year

Taking place right here in Can Tho.

Lots of chess grandmasters

Are fervently competing for the Cup.

Our gifted pupil at Ams

Hong Nhung, a gentle and lovely student.

Through so many competitions,

She has earned such superb achievements.

This week was like a dream

Getting to meet talented grandmasters

Year-end Super Blitz chess

Scores of renowned masters compete.

 Hồng Nhung’s now standing

Among these great opponents, right here.

9 chess rounds this time

Hong Nhung was undefeated, winning all 8.

Awesome, great, superb

So has our student won a glorious victory.

Claiming the Golden Prize wholly

With this golden medal, she’s truly reputed

As our school’s great talent

Constantly striving to get better with time

Cheers to our youngster of Ams

For winning this…lovely Golden Prize.

Thank you so much, young girl,

For the wins that you brought to our school.

Ams Wide Web would like to thank Hong Nhung for sharing your thoughts today. Throughout the conversation, we can see that Hong Nhung is an extremely talented girl, full of grit and yet very humble. We wish that our capital’s "golden girl" of chess will always be healthy, achieve her future goals and forever keep her flame of passion for chess burning!

Reporter: Nhu Ha Xuan Anh - Geography 2124

Translator: Phuong Hanh Thuy Duong - English 1 2225 

Photo: Self-provided