Playing first and needing only a draw to maintain his lead, Nguyen Thanh Bao opted for an aggressive strategy, aiming for a decisive victory. However, Meng Fandu, renowned for his defensive prowess, not only withstood Bao's attacks but also launched a counteroffensive to secure the win.
Following this round, the Vietnamese representative relinquished the top spot to the Chinese prodigy. The result also made Meng Fandu the only player with a perfect record after five rounds, earning a total of 10 points.
 |
Nguyen Thanh Bao (left) during his match against Meng Fandu at the 2025 World Xiangqi Championship in Shanghai, China, 24/9/2025. Photo: TLKD |
Nguyen Thanh Bao (left) during his match against Meng Fandu at the 2025 World Xiangqi Championship in Shanghai, China, 24/9/2025. Photo: TLKD
There was some consolation for Vietnam as Lai Ly Huynh, playing black, defeated Calvin Tay Yelin of Malaysia to move into second place with 9 points. Bao remained in third place with 8 points.
In round 6, commencing at 6 PM Hanoi time on September 24, Ly Huynh will face Meng Fandu on board one. A victory for the 35-year-old would propel him to the top of the leaderboard, potentially opening an opportunity for Bao to claim second place. However, a loss for Ly Huynh would almost certainly guarantee Meng Fandu a place in the final. In that scenario, the remaining final spot would be contested between Ly Huynh, Bao, and other contenders.
The 17-year-old Meng Fandu has twice defeated China's current number one player, Cao Yanlei, in crucial final matches, including the Xintai tournament in May and the Gaoxin-Gaogang tournament in 6/2025. Both victories followed a similar pattern, with Yanlei launching relentless attacks but ultimately falling short.
Born in 1978 in Nam Dinh, Nguyen Thanh Bao is a three-time Vietnamese national champion in standard xiangqi, winning in 2007 representing Ba Ria-Vung Tau, in 2011 with Hanoi, and in 2023 with Binh Phuoc. Along with Ly Huynh, he achieved Vietnam's best result at the World Xiangqi Championship, earning a silver medal in 2009. He was also the first Vietnamese player to win a xiangqi tournament on Chinese soil, claiming the Asian Junior Championship in Jiangsu in 1998.
The 2025 World Xiangqi Championship is taking place from 22/9 to 27/9 in Shanghai, China. The men's standard singles event features 51 players, each playing 9 rounds using the Swiss system. The two players with the highest scores after 8 rounds will advance to the final. The remaining players will continue to compete in round 9 to determine their final rankings. China has won all 18 previous editions of this event.
Xuan Binh
