In the vibrant atmosphere of the year-end days, the 7th Phuong Trang Cup International Xiangqi Masters Tournament officially opened at the Da Nang Times Square - FUTA Residence.

This year's tournament gathers a large number of top Vietnamese masters along with many international players from China, Hong Kong (China), Chinese Taipei, Singapore, and Malaysia. Right from the first competition day, the tournament demonstrated high professional caliber, fierce competitiveness, and many surprising developments, promising a dramatic journey ahead.

Opening Ceremony of the 7th Phuong Trang Cup International Xiangqi Masters Tournament

The opening ceremony took place in a solemn yet vibrant atmosphere, with the presence of organizing committee representatives, sponsors, experts, and all participating players. Speaking at the ceremony, the organizing committee emphasized the goal of building the Phuong Trang Cup into a high-quality annual playground, creating conditions for domestic players to rub shoulders with and learn from top regional and international opponents.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Thao – Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Culture and Sports, Head of the Organizing Committee – emphasized: "Organizing the 7th Phuong Trang Cup in Da Nang not only contributes to elevating the tournament's status but also creates a highlight for intellectual sports activities, aligned with the city's cultural-tourism development orientation."

Mr. Lim Kwan Haw – Secretary General of the Asian Xiangqi Federation remarked: "This tournament is a prime example as it has gathered top Asian Xiangqi masters in Da Nang city, causing the "Blossoms garden" to bloom with even more brilliant flowers, writing new pages in the history of Xiangqi development."

Mr. Truong Dinh Trung – Member of the Board of Phuong Trang Group (FUTA Group), Chairman of the Board of FUTA Land stated: "For many years, FUTA Group has always been steadfast in its orientation to accompany cultural, sports, and educational activities, especially those bringing sustainable value to the community."

Accompanying the tournament as a Co-Sponsor, Kim Long Motor Hue Joint Stock Company – a member unit of FUTA Group – decided to sponsor an addition to the prize structure with a total value of 22,000 USD.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Ho Cong Hai – Co-General Director in charge of Production, R&D, and Development at Kim Long Motor Hue – stated: "We highly appreciate the professionalism and organizational standards of the Phuong Trang Cup. Accompanying and providing additional prize sponsorship demonstrates Kim Long Motor Hue's desire to contribute to improving the professional quality of the tournament, while encouraging the competitive spirit and dedication of the players."

Immediately after the opening ceremony, players entered the first competition day with two games of Standard Xiangqi. And true to fans' expectations, the Phuong Trang Cup boards quickly witnessed tense, highly calculated battles, along with quite a few major surprises.

Shocking Opening Match: Tran Quang Nhat defeats reigning World Champion Lai Ly Huynh

The focal point of the first competition day was the opening match between International Grandmaster Lai Ly Huynh – the reigning 2025 World Champion – and the famous master from the land of martial arts, Tran Quang Nhat. Before the match, most predictions favored Lai Ly Huynh, who is in high form and rated superior in terms of achievements as well as top-level competitive experience.

However, developments on the board showed that Xiangqi is never just a game of reputation. With thorough preparation and reasonable tactics, Tran Quang Nhat, playing the defensive side (Black), played with full confidence, step by step neutralizing the opponent's attacking intentions. Deep research into Lai Ly Huynh's playing style and opening habits helped the martial arts land player bring the game into a favorable position.

A huge surprise occurred when the game ended after only 21 moves, with victory belonging to Tran Quang Nhat. The entire competition hall was almost stunned by this result. Fans could not help but be surprised to witness the reigning World Champion suffer an early defeat, which is also considered one of the rare quick losses in Lai Ly Huynh's career.

That result once again affirms the fierceness and unpredictability of the Phuong Trang Cup: there is no room for subjectivity, and every mistake, no matter how small, can be paid for dearly.

Ha Van Tien beats Woo TSung Han Alvin (Singapore), affirming the bravery of young Vietnamese players

Another notable match on the first day was the clash between National Master Ha Van Tien and International Grandmaster Woo Tsung Han Alvin (Singapore) – the player who won the Individual Standard Xiangqi Gold Medal at SEA Games 32. The match was evaluated by experts as evenly matched, as both possess a solid playing style and international competitive courage.

The game unfolded tensely right from the opening. Both sides continuously probed, choosing safe options that hid many tactical variations. Entering the middlegame, Ha Van Tien demonstrated confidence and flexible handling ability, gradually gaining the initiative against his experienced opponent.

After many defensive efforts, Woo still could not turn the tide. By the 40th move, facing increasing pressure, the Singaporean player was forced to sign the scoresheet acknowledging defeat. This victory is not only significant in terms of points but also a strong affirmation of Ha Van Tien's maturity in the international arena.

Other Notable Results

Beside the two typical matches, the first day also recorded many other notable results. Reigning National Champion Vu Quoc Dat achieved an important victory against Hong Kong (China) player Cheng Yin Lung, who is considered an experienced opening expert. After more than three hours of tense play, Vu Quoc Dat took good advantage of the opponent's mistake in the middlegame-endgame transition to take full points.

At many other tables, players split points after prolonged tug-of-war games. This shows that the level of play among participants this year is very even, making the race unpredictable right from the early rounds.

Closing the first competition day, the 7th Phuong Trang Cup International Xiangqi Maters Tournament 2025 left many bold impressions. Big surprises, high-quality games, and the fierce fighting spirit of the players show that this will be an attractive, dramatic tournament until the final rounds.

With the companionship of sponsors and thorough preparation from the organizing committee, the Phuong Trang Cup continues to affirm its position as a prestigious international Xiangqi playground, contributing to promoting the development of Xiangqi in Vietnam and the region. The first day was just the beginning, but it was enough for fans to believe in a successful and memorable tournament.