Da Nang, December 28, 2025 – The final competition day of the International Xiangqi Masters Tournament – Phuong Trang Cup VII at FUTA Residence – Da Nang Times Square concluded with tense games of high professional quality and strong emotions. The focal point of the day was the 1–2 final match between “Tay Doc” Nguyen Thanh Bao and Chinese prodigy Xu Wen Zhang, alongside the placement matches and the contest for 3rd–4th place.

Final 1–2: Composure and depth in the middlegame–endgame decide the title

Entering the final, Nguyen Thanh Bao had the Red pieces and moved first, continuing with the Central Cannon advancing Soldier 7, a familiar system strongly reflecting his proactive attacking style. Xu Wen Zhang, playing Black, responded with the Triple Tigers setup, a solid and flexible formation that is highly popular in top-level Xiangqi today.

Right from the opening, Xu Wen Zhang demonstrated thorough preparation by accepting the sacrifice of Soldier 3, then advancing Chariot 8 to file 4 to recapture the opponent’s Soldier 7, quickly restoring balance to the position. Nguyen Thanh Bao returned the Soldier and developed Horse 7 to file 6 and Horse 3 to file 4, aiming to exert strong pressure on the central files. In response, Xu Wen Zhang calmly played Advisor 4 to file 5, maintaining a tight defensive structure.

Facing the opponent’s solid defensive setup, Tay Doc had to invest significant thinking time to seek a breakthrough. At one point, the time difference on the clock reached 15 minutes (Thanh Bao with 39 minutes remaining, Xu Wen Zhang with 55 minutes). After careful consideration, Thanh Bao chose Elephant 9 to file 7, preparing the plan of Chariot 9 to file 7 to confront Xu Wen Zhang’s Chariot 3 directly. Clearly identifying this intention, the Chinese player promptly adjusted with Horse 2 to file 1, ready to reinforce the defense with Chariot 1 to file 3 if necessary.

Subsequently, Thanh Bao continued to increase pressure with Cannon 8 to file 5, coordinating with the Horse to threaten the center. However, Xu Wen Zhang responded accurately by playing Chariot 1 to file 2 to capture the Cannon, forcing Thanh Bao to retreat with Chariot 9 to file 8 to preserve material. The ensuing exchange of Cannon for Horse significantly reduced the attacking pressure, returning the position to a balanced state.

A series of subsequent moves by both sides were precise, bearing the clear hallmark of elite-level Xiangqi and closely matching evaluations from professional engines. After 39 moves, the standard game ended in a draw, with Nguyen Thanh Bao holding a slight structural edge, while Xu Wen Zhang enjoyed a substantial time advantage (Thanh Bao with 3 minutes remaining, Xu Wen Zhang with 22 minutes), sufficient to enter the rapid games with confidence.

Rapid final: Tay Doc attacks relentlessly, Xu Wen Zhang is crowned champion

In the 10-minute + 5-second rapid game, Xu Wen Zhang took the Red pieces and opened with a Horse move, with Nguyen Thanh Bao responding symmetrically. Despite playing Black, Thanh Bao’s fierce attacking style, the hallmark of “Tay Doc,” was maintained throughout the game, creating considerable pressure on his opponent.

In the middlegame, Thanh Bao proactively sacrificed a Horse for an Advisor, determined to open attacking lines and seek a breakthrough. However, with composure, extensive experience, and deep middlegame–endgame technique, Xu Wen Zhang defended accurately and gradually converted his material advantage. As the position increasingly favored the Chinese player, Nguyen Thanh Bao was forced into a passive defensive stance while his remaining time continued to dwindle.

Finally, at a decisive moment, Nguyen Thanh Bao’s clock ran out, bringing the rapid game—and the final match—to a close. Xu Wen Zhang was officially crowned champion of the Phuong Trang Cup VII, while Nguyen Thanh Bao claimed the Silver Cup after a campaign marked by great effort and competitive resilience.

3rd–4th place match and placement games: Battles down to the final moves

In the match for 3rd–4th place, the two Chinese players Wang Jia Rui and Hua Chen Hao once again delivered a high-quality encounter, underscoring the depth of Chinese Xiangqi strength at this year’s tournament.

In Round 9 and the placement matches, competition was intense:

• Cheng Yin Lung (5 points) defeated “The Tank” Lai Ly Huynh (5.5 points) in a crucial encounter.
• Nguyen Minh Nhat Quang drew with Lee Wen Ze (Malaysia).
• Uong Duong Bac scored a victory over Dang Huu Trang.
• Li De Zhi (Malaysia) drew with Chao I Fan.

These results concluded a highly dynamic race for final standings, highlighting the fierce competition between seasoned masters and promising young talents.

Conclusion of the Phuong Trang Cup VII

The Phuong Trang Cup VII concluded with a strong professional imprint, where rapid chess and competitive composure became the decisive factors at the final stage. Xu Wen Zhang’s championship was a deserved reward for his consistency and technical depth, while Nguyen Thanh Bao’s journey to the final continued to affirm the position of Vietnamese Xiangqi on the international stage.

This year’s tournament once again demonstrated the enduring appeal of the Phuong Trang Cup—a premier arena bringing together top masters and delivering memorable games for fans.

Final Standings