Shanghai is set to become the shining hub of the xiangqi (Chinese chess) world, as it prepares to host the highly anticipated 19th World Xiangqi Championship alongside the 5th Shanghai Xiangqi Master Open.

This marks the first time in 26 years that Shanghai hosts the World Xiangqi Championship, with both events being held for the first time.

The events will kick off with an opening ceremony on Sept 21, followed by competition at the Hyatt Regency Shanghai Jiading on Sept 22. The finals are set for Sept 27 at The Grand Halls in Hongkou district.

The World Xiangqi Championship will feature eight categories, including the men's and women's individual, the men's and women's team, and the U16 and U12 youth individual categories. Nearly 200 participants, including athletes, coaches, and delegates from the World Xiangqi Federation, representing 26 countries and regions are expected to attend this global gathering.

The Shanghai Xiangqi Master Open will offer four categories: open group, youth team competition, celebrity invitational, and amateur group. This year's event will host an open selection process for the open group, inviting xiangqi enthusiasts to participate. Successful contenders will earn their places in the main draw.

The youth team competition will attract teams from the Yangtze River Delta region, while the celebrity invitational will welcome representatives from provincial and municipal xiangqi associations and notable entrepreneurs. The amateur group will engage a broad audience by combining competitions with related activities across various districts in the city.

In celebration of the events, the organizing committee will host a Xiangqi carnival at Yuanxiang Lake in Jiading district on Sept 21. This carnival will showcase intangible cultural heritage crafts like Jiading bamboo carving and Xuhang straw weaving. Visitors can also indulge in local delicacies such as Nanxiang steamed buns and Anting rice cakes, and participate in interactive games like pot throwing and archery.

Source: Shanghai Board and Card Game Cultural Research Center