Texas to hold 1st xiangqi world cup

In a first, the United States will host the world championship of Chinese chess, known as xiangqi, next month.

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

Believed to have originated in China about 2,000 years ago, xiangqi became 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 competitors will be in Houston for the annual event. China will send six players to compete in the men's and women's categories.

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

Hu said the Houston Xiangqi Association is a strong team in North America, with about 40 members, including two grandmasters and three International Chess Federation masters. 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 a grandmaster in Houston. He started learning to play xiangqi with his father when he was about 10 years old. He joined the Houston Xiangqi Association in 2005.

Do said he plays many games of xiangqi a few times a week. "I play on the popular Chinese chess app, and I sometimes play with friends over the weekend," he said. "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."

Fang Yichuan, executive director of the Chinese Civic Center, said he is 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 things 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".