Liem Le
Grandmaster · Collegiate Chess Program Director
Elite performance at the highest level of competitive chess, combined with proven leadership in building and sustaining championship collegiate programs.
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World Blitz Champion (2013) • Peak world ranking #14 • Multiple international tournament victories • Program leader with sustained collegiate success
About
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I am an international chess Grandmaster with more than two decades of experience competing at the highest level worldwide. Alongside my professional playing career, I have led and developed elite collegiate chess programs, combining competitive excellence with structured leadership, recruiting, and long-term vision.
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My work sits at the intersection of high-performance chess and higher education — helping institutions leverage chess as a platform for intellectual distinction, global recruitment, and competitive success.
Competitive Career
I earned the Grandmaster title at age 15 and remain among the world’s elite. My tournament victories include the World Blitz Championship, Biel Grandmaster Triathlon, and other major international events. I continue to compete actively at the highest level, representing Vietnam and maintaining a world rating consistently among the top players globally.
Collegiate Chess & Leadership
Strategic Leadership in Competitive Chess Programs
Beyond individual competition, I have served as Director and Head Coach of a nationally dominant collegiate chess program. Since its founding in 2012, the program has ranked #1 in the United States and achieved more national titles than any other university team.
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In this role, I have overseen program strategy, elite student recruitment, budget management, training systems, and international visibility. Despite operating with fewer resources than many peer institutions, the program consistently delivered top competitive results and strong institutional value.
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I am particularly interested in helping universities design sustainable, high-impact chess initiatives aligned with academic excellence, student development, and global reputation.
For Universities & Academic Leaders
A well-designed collegiate chess program can:
• Attract academically driven, globally competitive students
• Enhance institutional visibility and reputation
• Support a culture of strategic intellectual engagement
I welcome confidential conversations with universities exploring the creation or expansion of competitive chess programs, including questions of structure, recruiting, funding models, and long-term sustainability.