VietNamNet Bridge - The organizers refused to grant a visa of the UAE to Nguyen Anh Khoi’s father and coach, so the 11-year-old chessman could not compete at the U12 world competition.

Chess star Nguyen Anh Khoi.

The Vietnam Chess Federation carried out visa procedures for Khoi’s father - Nguyen Anh Tu and his coach - Thanh Son in several months. During that time the federation did not receive any response from the organizing committee of the U12 Chess Championships.

In the afternoon of December 16, when the chess team was about to leave Vietnam to the UAE, the chess federation was informed that three members were not granted with the visa, including Khoi’s father and coach.

The family decided to keep Khoi home because he is too young to go to the UAE without his family’s care.

The Vietnam Chess Federation asked the international chess federation’s intervention but it could not help.

According to the chess team’s leader Nguyen Minh Thang, the Vietnam Chess Federation would learn about the reason in the UAE, particularly why the federation was informed of the visa deny too late.

This incident was a shock to Khoi, his family and the Vietnam Chess Federation. During the past six months, the 11-year-old player practiced very hard for the tournament, with 4-5 hours a day.

At last year's world junior championships, Khoi was the champion of the U10 category with the absolute win in all 11 games. This year Khoi was considered the top candidate for the U12 championship.

Recently, at the national competition for the strongest chess players Khoi ranked second, surpassing many International Masters and Grandmasters.

Nguyen Nam