The 15th International Chess Grandmaster Championship kicked off in Danzhou, Hainan on October 26, celebrating its long-standing tradition in China. This year’s event spans six days and features a total prize pool of 200,000 RMB. Utilizing the latest rapid chess rules set by the International Chess Federation, the tournament includes a round-robin format with seven rounds, where each player has 25 minutes per game plus an additional 10 seconds per move.
A total of eight grandmasters from three different countries are participating: Wang Yue, Ma Qun, Lu Shanglei, Liu Yan, Li Di, and Bai Jingshi from China, alongside Singapore’s Jagadish Siddhartha and Switzerland’s Peng Liming.
In his opening remarks, Tian Hongwei, Director of the Chess Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China and Secretary-General of the Chinese Chess Association, highlighted the significance of the championship. He noted that it has been running for 15 years, making it the longest-standing international chess event in China. The championship has played a vital role in nurturing young talent and witnessing the development of many top players. Tian expressed hope that the continued success of the Danzhou Championship will further enhance the level of chess in Hainan, contributing to the province’s free trade port initiative.
Hao Qijiang, Deputy Director of the Danzhou Municipal People’s Congress, remarked on the tournament’s evolution from a national-level event to an internationally esteemed competition. He emphasized the broad participation and acceptance of chess in Danzhou, noting that over 160,000 children and young people in the city are now engaged in learning the game.
Wang Yue, who is competing for the fifth time, shared his thoughts during a media interview. He acknowledged the growth of chess in Hainan over the years, attributing this to the collaborative efforts of local government and chess enthusiasts. He suggested that future development could be enhanced by bringing in coaches and other resources to support the sport’s growth.
The tournament is organized by the Chess Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, the Chinese Chess Association, and the Danzhou Municipal People’s Government, with the Danzhou Municipal Bureau of Tourism and Culture Radio, Film and Sports and the Hainan Province Chess Association as the hosts, and operated by Hainan Chess Sports Culture Co., Ltd.
