Chinese chess tourney at Manila Hotel
A total cash pot of US$40,000 (P5 million) is at stake when the country plays host to the 15th World Xiangqi (Chinese chess) Championship set November 14-20 at the Manila Hotel.
Philippine Xiangqi Federation (PXF) president Wilson Tan said four Filipino, led by engineer Asi Ching, the country’s first Xiangqi Grandmaster, pit talent against over 100 players from 26 countries in the tournament sanctioned by World Xiangqi Federation and supported by the Filipino Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation (FCAAF) founded by philanthropist Jimmy Chan Cuan and headed by president William Gosiaco and backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez.
“Xiangqi is a 2,500-year-old ancient Chinese game popular all over east Asia. The tournament will boost our efforts to introduce the sports in the elite level,” said Tan during media launch at the Pandesal Forum in Kamuning Bakery Café in Quezon City.
“The game of Xiangqi is already popular in Chinese schools all over the country. Right now, we are in the process of coordinating with the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education so that we can introduce the sports in public schools,” said Cuan.
Aside from host Philippines, already having confirmed their participations are Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, US, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea and Japan.