Day 2 of the Phuong Trang Cup 2025 witnessed major upheavals on the leaderboard. The focal point of December 23 was not only the all-Vietnamese summit clash, but also the fiery confrontation between two of the region’s leading Xiangqi powerhouses.

1. A Classic Showdown: “Scientific Youth” vs. “Battle-Hardened Brilliance”

The marquee encounter on Board 1 between the reigning National Champion GM Vũ Quốc Đạt and Super GM Nguyễn Thành Bảo fully lived up to expectations. Both players entered the game with a perfect score of two wins, making this clash widely regarded as an early final—a fierce collision of two contrasting schools of thought.

If Vũ Quốc Đạt epitomizes a scientific, pragmatic approach—deeply influenced by engine-based thinking and patient timing—then Nguyễn Thành Bảo stands as the embodiment of flair and creativity, carrying the unmistakable “jianghu” spirit with explosive, highly volatile attacking ideas.

Playing Black and moving second, Nguyễn Thành Bảo met his junior’s “Immortal's Finger” setup with a series of incisive moves. Entering the middlegame, “Western Venom” showcased his supreme command of the pieces by boldly sacrificing material to seize the initiative, constructing a highly dangerous "Elbow Horse" attack that drove Vũ Quốc Đạt’s General into a lethal zone.

The climax came when Thành Bảo unleashed a double Chariot assault coordinated with Cannon to cut down the Advisors, force the opposing Chariot into passivity, and create an irresistible mating net. Vũ Quốc Đạt was compelled to resign. This victory not only propelled Nguyễn Thành Bảo into sole possession of first place, but also served as a resounding statement of his signature, crowd-pleasing attacking style.

2. A Generational Battle Vietnam–China: The Balance Tips Toward the Guests

The Top-2 boards drew particular attention with three pairings emblematic of the young-generation rivalry between Vietnam and China:

• Hà Văn Tiến – Hua Chen Hao
• Xu Wen Zhang – Phan Nguyễn Công Minh
• Đặng Hữu Trang – Wang Jia Rui

 Actual play showed that the balance of power still tilts toward the neighboring Xiangqi superpower. The young Chinese players proved to be “fully ripened shoots,” ready to step into the shoes of their senior compatriots in the near future.

Hà Văn Tiến unable to halt Hua Chen Hao: Despite a psychological boost from his previous win over Super GM Woo Tsung Han, “The Young Knight of the Capital” Hà Văn Tiến was unable to spring a surprise against Hua Chen Hao. The Shanghai prodigy recently claimed Individual Gold at the Chinese National Games (Mixed Professional Event) and 6th place at the “Baobao Cup,” clearly demonstrating superior class and peak form.

A Bright Spot - Phan Nguyễn Công Minh: Amid adversity, Phan Nguyễn Công Minh emerged as a highlight by holding a commendable draw against young talent Xu Wen Zhang (who had previously defeated Lại Lý Huynh). Playing Black and maintaining equilibrium against such a formidable opponent underscored Công Minh’s remarkable growth in competitive resilience and match temperament.

Regret for Đặng Hữu Trang: Former 2017 National Champion Đặng Hữu Trang produced an excellent game against Xiangqi Grandmaster Wang Jia Rui—a standard-bearer of the orthodox “classical” school. Although he steered the game into a favorable endgame (Chariot and Cannon vs. Chariot with solid Advisors and Elephants), Wang Jia Rui's elastic and precise defensive technique forced Đặng Hữu Trang to settle for a draw, much to his regret.

3. Picking up speed: “The Southern Prince” re-enters the title race

After a surprising stumble in the opening round against Trần Quang Nhật, Super GM Lại Lý Huynh quickly regrouped. Following a smooth victory over Trần Thanh Tân in Round 2, he went on to face the “Tenacious General” GM Đào Quốc Hưng in Round 3.

Đào Quốc Hưng is renowned for an opening-agnostic style, yet extremely dangerous in chaotic middlegames and famed for his steely fighting spirit. Nevertheless, Lại Lý Huynh demonstrated the authority of a reigning World Champion. With profound opening preparation, Huynh quickly established a superior position, steadily suffocating his opponent’s room for maneuver.

Under the storm-like and pinpoint-accurate attack of Lại Lý Huynh, Đào Quốc Hưng was forced to sign the scoresheet in resignation after just 28 moves. With 2 points after 3 rounds, Lại Lý Huynh is accelerating sharply, breathing down the leaders’ necks and officially rejoining the fiercely contested race for the championship crown.

Standings after Round 3