The defending champion said that he aims to earn a higher Elo rating and gain more experience from the competition, which has attracted many international grandmasters.

Liem, 21, will play nine games from February 7-16 in Group A that includes 74 competitors.

The winner of Group A will be awarded US$20,000 in cash prize and will take a berth to the 2012 Dortmund super cup in Germany.

In addition, Vietnam also has two representatives - Nguyen Van Huy and Le Quang Long who is Liem’s older brother – to compete in Group B.

•  Liem finishes 7th at UK Chess Festival

• Quang Liem loses to female champion

• GM Le Quang Liem honoured as most outstanding youth

• Two Vietnamese grandmasters receive major sponsorship

• Le Quang Liem wins Spice Cup 2011

• Chessdom interviews GM Le Quang Liem