After 4 rounds, only two players remain undefeated in the men's singles category: Nguyen Thanh Bao and Meng Fanrui. Both have 8 points, but Thanh Bao holds the lead due to a higher Buchholz tie-breaker score (22 compared to 14), which is based on the total points of their opponents.
Thanh Bao has defeated Shoshi Kazuharu (Japan), Li Dezhi, Lee Wen Zhe (Malaysia), and Kuo Sheng Wen (Taiwan). These players all represent relatively strong xiangqi nations.
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Nguyen Thanh Bao (left) during his match against Lee Wen Zhe at the 2025 World Xiangqi Championship in Shanghai, China, on 23/9/2025. Photo: TLKD |
Nguyen Thanh Bao (left) during his match against Lee Wen Zhe at the 2025 World Xiangqi Championship in Shanghai, China, on 23/9/2025. Photo: TLKD
Fanrui, the home favorite, has defeated Vladimir Medvedev (Russia), Aung Naing Win (Myanmar), Sergej Korchitskij (Belarus), and Ge Yen Ji (Taiwan). Russia, Myanmar, and Belarus are not considered strong xiangqi-playing nations. This explains Thanh Bao's significantly higher Buchholz score.
Two players are tied at 7 points with three wins and one draw: Lai Ly Huynh and Calvin Tay Yelin (Malaysia). Ly Huynh is ranked higher due to a better tie-breaker score (19 compared to 18). Thanks to the strong performances of Thanh Bao and Ly Huynh, Vietnam currently leads the team championship standings.
Ly Huynh won his first match against Ryan Haris (Malaysia), then drew against home player Duan Sheng. In the next two rounds, he defeated Li Mingjian (USA) and Fung Tony Ga Zen (Hong Kong). His match against Fung on the evening of 23/9 lasted over 5 hours, making it the latest-finishing match of the round. In a complex endgame, Ly Huynh successfully converted a slight advantage to secure third place.
Another contender, Duan Sheng, has 6 points from two wins and two draws, placing him fifth with a tie-breaker score of 20. The 20-year-old is still in contention for a spot in the final.
Round 5 takes place on Wednesday, 24/9, at 12 PM Hanoi time. The highlight will be the top-board clash between Thanh Bao and Chinese xiangqi prodigy, Fanrui. The 47-year-old Thanh Bao will play the red pieces (first move) against the 17-year-old Fanrui. This will be the first meeting between the two players in a major tournament.
Also in round 5, Ly Huynh will play black against Calvin on board two.
The 2025 World Xiangqi Championship is taking place from 22/9 to 27/9 in Shanghai, China. The men's singles standard chess competition features 51 players, each playing 9 rounds using the Swiss system. The top two players after 8 rounds will compete in the final. The remaining players will play a 9th round to determine their final rankings. China has won all 18 previous editions of this event.
Xuan Binh
