Wang Tianyi: the fall of a xiangqi legend

China top-ranked xiangqi player Wang Tianyi during a game. Photo courtesy of Wang Tianyi

On April 23, 1989, a boy with thick eyebrows and a loud cry was born into the Wang family in Beijing, China. An old family member predicted that the boy would become a general one day, comparing him to Chang Yuchun, a famed general who helped establish the Ming Dynasty in the 14th century. A Taoist priest later named him Tianyi.

On his first birthday, according to Chinese tradition, various items were placed around his cradle to predict his future. Wang immediately grabbed a xiangqi set and held onto it tightly, foreshadowing his future in this sport. This story was recounted in Wang Tianyi Legend, published in December 2019.

Chinese chess, or xiangqi, is a traditional game with deep cultural roots, boasting over 1.2 billion accounts on the popular app Tian Tian Xiang Qi. Despite its cultural significance, pursuing xiangqi professionally is not typically lucrative, unless a player ascends to the level of world class.

Initially, Wang's family discouraged him from focusing on xiangqi, but at age six, he enrolled himself in a chess class. On a family outing, young Wang spotted two elderly men playing xiangqi in the park. Observing their game, he told a man to follow his lead and the man later won. This moment convinced his family of his talent, though they limited his chess practice to just two hours a week.

Nevertheless, Wang's skills grew rapidly. He went on to win the national youth championship and claimed the national U16 championship in 2005, earning the title of master.

At Wang's age, the legendary Ho Ronghua had won the national championship. But Wang initially didn’t intend to pursue a career in xiangqi as he focused on studying for the entrance exam to Beijing University.

Wang’s breakthrough came in 2009 when he defeated reigning national champion Zhao Guorong, earning the nickname "alien" for his unconventional and brilliant play style.

It was this match that brought Wang’s name to national fame and to this day it’s still remembered by fans of the sport.

China dominates the world of xiangqi, as their players have won the world championship 18 consecutive times. Winning some tournaments in China is even more difficult than winning the world championship, as the players are more leveled in skills. This makes the title of national champion equivalent to being the best player in the world. Wang won the national championship four times (2012, 2016, 2019 and 2023) and the world championship three times (2013, 2017 and 2022).

By 2023, Wang became the first player in xiangqi history to surpass an Elo rating of 2,800, cementing his place at the top of the sport.

Despite his dominance, controversy and scandal marred Wang’s career.

In 2012, he entered a competition under the pseudonym "Wang Tiandi," sparking criticism for disregarding the rules and being unprofessional even though he won the title.

Over the years, rumors circulated that Wang used cheating software in matches, accusations made by fellow players like Zhao Guorong, former national champions Sun Yongzheng and Zheng Weitong. When Wang beat Zhao, he was still in university and didn’t play for any professional club.

Meanwhile, some legendary players, including Hu Ronghua and Hua Yanyue, defended him, dismissing the claims as proofless rumors.

The situation took a darker turn when Wang and his teammate from Hangzhou Club, Wang Yuefei, were caught fixing matches. The Chinese Xiangqi Association (CXA) revealed that the two had manipulated the outcomes of multiple games for financial gain, accumulating as much as $113,000. As a result, they were banned from all CXA-sanctioned events and stripped of their grandmaster and master titles.

Sina said that even if Wang cheated, it cannot be as serious as match-fixing and bribery. Sohu headlined "The death of a superstar" following Wang’s ban.

This scandal coincided with China's broader anti-corruption campaign, which has also affected the sports scene in the country. On Sept. 10, the Chinese Football Association slapped a lifetime ban on 43 individuals, including former national team players and officials, for match-fixing, bribery, and gambling.

The CXA's decision to ban Wang Tianyi may be just the beginning of his troubles, as he still faces potential criminal charges. The World Xiangqi Federation (WXF) may also issue an international ban, effectively ending his career, even if he seeks to represent another country.