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Xiangqi players

The champions and characters of Chinese chess, past and present: Hu Ronghua, Xu Yinchuan, Wang Tianyi and the players shaping the game today.

11 articles

Players

The Best Xiangqi Players of All Time and Their Records

Who are the best xiangqi players of all time? Twelve champions, from Hu Ronghua and Lü Qin to Tang Dan and Lại Lý Huynh, with their verified titles.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 6m

Players

Lai Ly Huynh: Vietnam's First Xiangqi World Champion

Lai Ly Huynh (Lại Lý Huynh) became the first non-Chinese men's xiangqi world champion in 2025. His background, his titles and the road to Shanghai.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 6m

Players

Hu Ronghua: The 14-Time Champion Who Defined Modern Xiangqi

Meet Hu Ronghua (胡荣华), who won 14 Chinese national xiangqi titles, ten of them in a row from 1960 to 1979. His career, style and lasting influence on 象棋.

Mei LinFeb 24, 2026 8m

Players

Yang Guanlin: The Grandmaster Behind a Xiangqi Golden Age

Discover Yang Guanlin (杨官璘), a celebrated Xiangqi grandmaster of an earlier golden era. Learn how his mastery of Chinese Chess endgames and disciplined 象棋 style shaped generations of players who followed.

Zhang WeiFeb 21, 2026 8m

Players

Xu Yinchuan and the Art of 'Elegant Chess'

Explore the graceful world of Xu Yinchuan (许银川), the Xiangqi grandmaster celebrated for his elegant, positional style. Discover why his refined approach to Chinese Chess earned admiration across the 象棋 world.

Mei LinFeb 18, 2026 7m

Players

Wang Tianyi: The Rise and Fall of a Xiangqi Superstar

Wang Tianyi (王天一) won four Chinese and three world xiangqi titles, then was banned for life in 2024 for match-fixing. His record and what happened.

Daniel OkaforFeb 15, 2026 8m

Players

Vietnam's Greatest Cờ Tướng Players and Their Legacy

Vietnam has produced generations of formidable Cờ Tướng masters who compete with China's best. Explore the legacy of Vietnamese Xiangqi champions and what makes their style so respected worldwide.

GM Lê MinhDec 18, 2025 7m

Players

Women in Xiangqi: The Game's Leading Female Players

Women in xiangqi have shaped the game at every level. Explore the rise of female grandmasters, women's championships, and how to follow and join the scene.

Daniel OkaforJun 5, 2026 8m

Players

Mikhail Tal: The Magician from Riga

Mikhail Tal, the Magician from Riga, dazzled the chess world with daring sacrifices and became world champion in 1960 by dethroning the great Mikhail Botvinnik.

Zhang WeiJun 12, 2026 9m

Players

Jose Capablanca: The Chess Machine

Jose Raul Capablanca, the Cuban 'Chess Machine,' played with effortless clarity and near-flawless endgame technique, reigning as world champion from 1921 to 1927.

Mei LinJun 14, 2026 10m

Players

Women in Chess: The Game's Leading Players

Women in chess have reshaped the game from Vera Menchik to Judit Polgar and the Gothenburg-trained Hou Yifan. A guide to the players, history, and rising stars.

FM Elena PetrovaJun 15, 2026 7m