World cup of Chinese chess in Houston Nov 19-25

For the first time, the United States will host a world championship of Chinese chess, known as xiangqi.

The 18th World Xiangqi Championship is scheduled to be held Nov 19-25 in Houston, announced Hu Yushan, co-chair of the organizing committee of the championship and president of the Houston Xiangqi Association on Saturday. Close to 30 countries will gather in Houston to compete in the annual event.

Xiangqi is believed to have originated in China around 2,000 years ago, reaching its current form by the mid-10th century. As a two-player, turn-based strategy game, it shares some similarities with chess but has unique differences. It is most popular in China and Vietnam.

Hu said about 120 players will be in Houston for the annual event. China will send six players to compete in men's and women's groups, respectively.

The event is co-hosted by the Houston Xiangqi Association and Harris County Houston Sports Authority.

With about 40 members, including two grandmasters and three International Chess Federation (FIDE) masters, the Houston Xiangqi Association is a strong team in North America, said Hu. However, Hu and most Houston xiangqi players will focus on hosting the event instead of participating in the competition.

"The world championship will see the best players from around the world compete with each other. Our Houston association is very honored to have the opportunity to host this event," Hu said. "We are a little nervous, but we will do our utmost best to make it a success."

Yogi Do of Vietnam is another grandmaster in Houston. He started learning to play xiangqi with his father when he was about 10 years old and he joined the Houston Xiangqi Association in 2005.

Do said he plays a lot of xiangqi a few times a week. "I play on the popular Chinese chess app, and I sometimes play with friends over the weekend," said Do. "I am very excited that the world cup happens to be in Houston. It's a privilege; this is an opportunity of a lifetime. I will be part of the team to help with transportation."

James Xu, co-chair of the organizing committee and vice-president of the Houston Xiangqi Association, who was also involved in organizing the 2021 World Table Tennis Championships, said that "it's a huge responsibility to host the championship", and like in 2021, the success requires a lot of support from Chinese community members. He invited a few leaders from the Chinese community to the announcement.

Fang Yichuan, executive director of the Chinese Civic Center, said he was happy to support the world class event.

"As a Chinese American and Asian American, I think it's our responsibility to promote diversity, and xiangqi is a big example. We want to make xiangqi a part of American culture," Fang said.

Janis Burke, CEO of the Harris County Houston Sports Authority, said she is "very excited that we will be hosting this great event for the first time in the United States". She believes that an event like the xiangqi championship "will definitely break down barriers and do great thing in building trust and friendship".

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said in a statement that "this competition is more evidence of a positive influence on the lives of fellow Texans" by Asian immigrants and Asian Americans who "have enriched the Lone Star's cultural landscape".

The Fourth Youth Xiangqi Championship will also be held concurrently.