The championship, held in Shanghai, China, from 22/9 to 27/9, features the highly anticipated men's standard individual competition with 51 players. China has claimed the title in all 18 previous editions of this event.

Lai Ly Huynh (left) during the first game of the final against Nguyen Thanh Bao in the men's standard individual competition at the National Xiangqi Championship, held at the First Hotel, Tan Binh District, TP HCM on the evening of 23/4/2025. Photo: Thang Long Ky Dao

Lai Ly Huynh (left) during the first game of the final against Nguyen Thanh Bao in the men's standard individual competition at the National Xiangqi Championship, held at the First Hotel, Tan Binh District, TP HCM on the evening of 23/4/2025. Photo: Thang Long Ky Dao

This year, China lacks a reigning national champion among its representatives. Former champions like Wang Tianyi, Zheng Weitong, Zhao Xinxin, and Wang Yang face lifetime bans due to match-fixing. The two Chinese contenders, Meng Fanrui (17) and Yin Sheng (20), are considered prodigies but are yet to achieve the status of national champions.

This presents Vietnam with a greater opportunity to dethrone China, especially with Macau's top player, Cao Yanlei, also absent.

The men's standard individual competition consists of 9 rounds played under the Swiss system. The top two players after 8 rounds advance to the final. The remaining players compete in the 9th round to determine their final rankings. The previous final in 2023, held in the US, saw Lai Ly Huynh face Meng Chen. Huynh initially held the advantage but ultimately lost in a tie-break.

Each player has 90 minutes per game, plus an additional 30 seconds per move. Running out of time results in a loss. A win earns two points, a draw one point, and a loss zero points. Tie-breakers are determined by: total opponent points, head-to-head results, number of wins, number of wins with black, number of games played with black, performance against the strongest opponents, technical fouls, and finally, previous round placement.

The first two rounds take place today, 22/9, at 12 PM and 6 PM Hanoi time. In the first round, Thanh Bao (black) faces Shoshi Kazuharu (Japan), and Ly Huynh (black) plays against Ryan Haris (Malaysia).

The individual results will determine the team rankings, with the team having the lowest combined ranking of its two players declared the winner.

The championship also includes a women's competition featuring Vietnam's Kieu Bich Thuy and Dam Thi Thuy Dung. U12 and U16 world championships for both boys and girls are also taking place concurrently.

Xuan Binh