In 1981 he won the World junior championship in Brussels, defeating another young Soviet player, Alexander Dybman, in the final barrage.

[1] In 1983, at the age of 18, he became a European champion in Deventer (Netherlands)[1] and was awarded a Grandmaster title.

As a silver medalist he had the right to play a World championship match against the reigning champion next year.

[3] During this year he also played in a World championship tournament in Senegal but only shared places 4-5.

In 1992 Vadim Virny moved to Germany with his wife, multiple World champion Elena Altchul, and started an IT career, paying less attention to sports.