The Vietnam Xiangqi Federation has announced a 24-member delegation for the World Xiangqi Championship, held in Shanghai, China, from 21/9 to 27/9. The delegation includes 6 coaches and 18 players.
In the men's division, Lai Ly Huynh and Nguyen Thanh Bao, a familiar duo with a combined 9 national championships, will represent Vietnam. They frequently compete internationally. In the previous championship, Ly Huynh partnered with Nguyen Minh Nhat Quang.
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Lai Ly Huynh (left) and Nguyen Thanh Bao at the 2022 World Xiangqi Championship in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, in 10/2022. Photo: To Quoc Khanh |
Lai Ly Huynh (left) and Nguyen Thanh Bao at the 2022 World Xiangqi Championship in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, in 10/2022. Photo: To Quoc Khanh
The Vietnamese team hopes to end China's 18-year winning streak in the men's individual category. China's team will be missing several top players due to a match-fixing scandal, including Wang Tianyi, Zheng Weitong, Zhao Xinxin, Xu Chao, and Jiang Chuan.
China's representatives are Meng Fanrui (17) and Yin Sheng (20). However, defeating these prodigies will be a challenge for Huynh and Bao. They will also face Cao Yanlei, the top-ranked Chinese player competing for Macau.
In the women's division, Vietnam has selected Dam Thi Thuy Dung and Kieu Bich Thuy. Bich Thuy holds the rare distinction of being a grandmaster in both chess and xiangqi. Notable player Nguyen Hoang Yen will not be participating.
Four youth players will also compete: Do Manh Thang, Hoang Nhat Minh Huy, Vu Xuan Bach, and Pham Huu Minh in the under-16 boys' category; and Ngo Minh An, Tran Bich Phuong, Le Ngoc Minh Khue, and Nguyen Thuy Duong in the under-16 girls' category.
Chu Duc Huy and Nguyen Dang Khoa will represent Vietnam in the under-12 boys' division, while Tran Nguyen Minh Hang, Truong Thanh Van, Lam Hoang Hai Ngoc, and Truong Gia Han will compete in the under-12 girls' division.
The biennial World Xiangqi Championship has been held 18 times, with China winning the men's individual title every time. Bao's and Huynh's best results are silver medals, achieved in Shandong in 2009 and Houston in 2023, respectively.
Xuan Binh
