Xinhua News Agency, Foshan, September 22nd (by Sun Jianku and He Mingjie) - On September 22nd, the Lovers' Island at the Sanshui Lotus World in Guangdong was filled with waving flags and the sound of war drums. Thirty young people, dressed in costumes resembling chess pieces and armed with weapons, were commanded by two ancient-costumed Xiangqi (Chinese chess) masters on a 100-square-meter chessboard. The scene was intense as the human Xiangqi battle commenced amidst flashing swords and clashing chariots and horses.
According to reports, during this year's National Day Golden Week holiday, the Sanshui Lotus World in Guangdong will host its first Human Xiangqi Tournament. This event combines Chinese martial arts with Xiangqi. On a 100-square-meter chessboard, thirty young martial artists serve as the chess pieces, while the Xiangqi players sit at the chess table, directing them with flags. The "pieces" move to designated positions according to the commands of the participants, utilizing martial arts footwork.
On the afternoon of September 22nd, reporters observed at the Human Xiangqi "battlefield" set up on the Lovers' Island of the Sanshui Lotus World in Guangdong that when red flags waved, the "horse" moved in an "L" shape; when yellow flags waved, the "cannon" positioned itself accordingly. When the "chariot" and the "horse" met, they engaged in close combat. The "horse," unable to withstand the "chariot," was eliminated from the game. Meanwhile, the "general" found himself trapped, and the "advisor" and "elephant" rushed to his defense.
It is understood that all thirty young people serving as "pieces" come from the Youth Martial Arts Team established by He Yongsheng, a renowned inheritor of the Plum Blossom Pile Boxing tradition in Sanshui, Guangdong. They are all experts in Plum Blossom Pile Boxing.
He Yongsheng said that both Xiangqi and martial arts are quintessential parts of Chinese culture, with long histories and deep cultural roots. There are many similarities between the two disciplines.
It was also reported that during the first Human Xiangqi Tournament in Sanshui, Guangdong, Grandmaster Lv Qin, a world-renowned Xiangqi master, will engage in simultaneous matches against twelve Xiangqi players in a round-robin format. (End)