Vietnamese-Czech chess grandmaster Nguyen Thai Dai Van has made history by breaking into the world’s top 50 for the first time, following his victory at the Tata Steel Challengers 2025. With this achievement, he now holds an Elo rating of 2,676, securing his place among the elite players in international chess.
A Historic Victory at Tata Steel Challengers 2025
Entering the Tata Steel Challengers tournament as the top seed, Nguyen Thai Dai Van (Elo 2,668) showcased an impressive performance, accumulating 9.5 points after 13 rounds. He finished with the same points as runner-up Aydin Suleymanli (2,623) but secured the championship through superior tie-break criteria.
Throughout the tournament, Dai Van won seven matches, drew five, and suffered only one loss, which came against second seed Frederik Svane (2,664). Among his notable victories, he defeated Nodirbek Yakubboev (2,659), a top 100-ranked player, further solidifying his status as a rising star in the chess world.
His performance rating of 2,712 at the tournament earned him an additional 8 Elo points, elevating his total rating to 2,676. This accomplishment places him 49th in the world rankings, making him the second player of Vietnamese descent to reach the top 50, following Le Quang Liem. While Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son and Dao Thien Hai have previously broken into the top 100, neither managed to reach the top 50.
A Ticket to Tata Steel Masters 2026
Winning the Tata Steel Challengers 2025 not only secured Dai Van’s place in the top 50, but it also granted him a coveted spot in the Tata Steel Masters 2026, where he will compete against the world’s best chess players.
The Tata Steel Masters, an 87-year-old tournament, is one of the most prestigious events in chess history. It has seen participation from many of the greatest players of all time, including Magnus Carlsen, who holds the record for the most titles (8 championships). Dai Van’s qualification marks another milestone, as he becomes the first player of Vietnamese descent to ever compete in the Tata Steel Masters.
Speaking about his upcoming debut in the Tata Steel Masters 2026, Dai Van expressed his excitement:
“This is the biggest opportunity of my career. I competed in the Challengers division in 2022 and finished second. This time, I won, but it was incredibly tough.”
Nguyen Thai Dai Van’s Rise in Chess
Born on December 12, 2001, in Prague, Czech Republic, Nguyen Thai Dai Van is of Vietnamese descent, with both parents being Vietnamese immigrants. His family owns a multi-billion-dollar sporting goods business across Europe, but Dai Van chose a different path—pursuing a career in chess.
Currently, he is the second-highest-ranked player in the Czech Republic, trailing only David Navara (2,679). His playing style has been compared to Vietnamese grandmasters Le Quang Liem and Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, known for their positional awareness and strategic depth.
At the 2024 Chess Olympiad, Dai Van made a significant impact, securing a gold medal for the second board with a stunning performance rating of 2,783. His calculated, steady approach to the game, combined with his ability to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes, has earned him recognition as one of the most promising chess players today.
Looking Ahead
With his rapid rise in world rankings, Nguyen Thai Dai Van is now a serious contender on the international chess stage. His upcoming challenge at the Tata Steel Masters 2026 will be an important test, as he faces off against some of the best players in the world.
As he continues to hone his skills and compete at the highest level, Vietnamese and Czech chess fans alike will be eagerly watching his journey, hoping that he will become a new force in global chess—and perhaps follow in the footsteps of Vietnamese chess legend Le Quang Liem.
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