Prague Chess Festival 2025: Interview with Thai Dai Van Nguyen

In 2024, you achieved individual gold at the Chess Olympiad and won the European Chess Club Cup. Looking back, what are your reflections on the year?

Winning the Olympiad gold medal is undoubtedly the pinnacle of my chess career so far. Combined with the Club Cup gold and a second-place finish at the Prague International Chess Festival (PICF), 2024 was definitively my most successful year in chess.

You’ve started 2025 strongly by winning the Challengers tournament in Wijk aan Zee. This is a significant achievement. How do you feel in the days following this victory?

Securing first place in the Challengers at Wijk aan Zee might not seem like a major accomplishment to everyone, but for me, it’s incredibly meaningful. I consider it my second greatest success after the Olympiad gold. Wijk aan Zee is among the most prestigious chess events, steeped in tradition and history. Furthermore, this win secures my participation in the Masters tournament next year, offering me a unique chance to compete against the world’s elite players.

After such impressive results both individually and with teams, you are now preparing for the 7th edition of the Prague International Chess Festival. Last year, you finished second in a highly competitive field. How do you feel about the upcoming challenge this year?

From a purely chess standpoint, my performance at the Prague Chess Festival last year was very strong. I had to prove myself against very strong opponents, starting as one of the lowest-rated participants. The second-place result was a wonderful surprise, making it difficult to aim for even better this year. My primary goal is simply to enjoy the tournament.

The Masters tournament last year featured many prominent figures in the chess world. Which player are you most excited to play against this time?

The player lineup is so strong this year that it’s hard to pick just one. However, I am particularly looking forward to playing against Anish Giri. We have spoken a few times, but we have never had a chance to play a game against each other.

Prague is hosting its 7th festival, and the event is expanding in all aspects – in popularity and the strength of the players. What is your impression of the Prague Chess Festival’s quality?

The Prague Chess Festival is my absolute favorite tournament. I have participated in every edition since its inception. The organization is excellent, the level of competition is high, and playing in Prague with the support of the local fans is always a fantastic experience.