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(Sports Focus) China aims to capture first men's individual chess world title

Xinhua, May 22, 2015 Adjust font size:

With trophies of two prestigious team chess tournaments already under their belt, Chinese male chess players are eying on an individual world title.

China won the FIDE men's world team chess championship for the first time in April following its first men's chess Olympiad cup triumph last year.

Chinese coach Ye Jiangchuan believes that his proteges are capable of winning more glories.

"Last year when we won the Olympiad Cup, many attributed it to a bit of luck, but we won the team championship this year, which demonstrated it's not simply because of luck. Now the Chinese male players can be ranked among the best in the sport," Ye said on Friday.

Unlike their male counterparts, China's women players have already made their mark in the world stage, winning the team title several times and also boasted four individual world champions, namely, Xie Jun, Zhu Chen, Xu Yuhua and Hou Yifan.

The Chinese Chess Association has adopted a gradual approach in promoting the sport in the country with less chess tradition. After their women players' success on the world stage, now they aim to emulate that on the men's part.

According to Ye, the development of chess in China can be divided into three phases, firstly winning women's titles, secondly claiming men's team titles and finally the men's individual champion.

"After a decade of hard work, now the Chinese male players have what it takes to win the pearl on the crown - the men's individual world title," Ye said.

Currently eight Chinese male players are in the world top 50, with Ding Liren being the highest at 11th.

Ding, 23, received an invitation last month from world number one Magnus Carlsen of Norway to train together. and he said he has learned many from Carlsen.

"There's a big gap between the number one and Chinese players, so I think we have to do more in all aspects," said Ding, who skipped Chinese chess league matches for the training.

The Chinese Chess league, which has entered into its 11th season this year, is seen as a platform for Chinese players to hone their skills. The league has even attracted world-class players from abroad.

"The first 10 years of the league witnessed a breakthrough in men's team events, now I hope we can make more breakthroughs in men's individual events," said Yang Junan, president of the Chinese Chess Association.

"China boasts several rising stars, including Ding, Yu Yangyi and Wei Yi. They are talented, training hard and they yearn for more successes after winning the team's events. I'm so glad they are focusing on chess, and they will be the hope for future," said Ye.

"I believe the dream of winning the pearl on the crown will come true one day." Endi