Ancient Chinese chess has emerged as a conduit in the realm of international relations, fostering people-to-people exchanges and fortifying bonds of friendship between China and Vietnam.

A delegation from the Yangzhou Board Games Association of Jiangsu province visited Vietnam in mid-March at the invitation of the Vietnam Chess Federation, aiming to enhance Chinese chess exchanges between the two countries.

The delegation participated in friendly matches across various cities in Vietnam, drawing enthusiastic crowds of local Chinese chess lovers at each venue and receiving a warm reception from them.

Wang Jirong, president of the Yangzhou Board Games Association, highlighted the long-standing friendship between the two countries. He expressed surprise at the overwhelming popularity of Chinese chess in Vietnam, saying that the proportion of Chinese chess enthusiasts in Vietnam is higher than in China, with a very broad mass base.

Wang noted Vietnam's development of highly skilled Chinese chess players who can compete at an elite level, even within China. He added that Vietnamese Chinese chess players have not only been integral to China's professional Chinese chess leagues, but have also clinched titles in international competitions.

Upon the delegation's arrival in Vietnam, the country's national master Nguyen Thanh Bao met with the Yangzhou Chinese chess players, engaging in matches with delegation members. The visit was a reciprocal gesture, following the Vietnamese Chinese chess delegation's visit to Yangzhou in December 2024.

That visit marked the first exchange between the Yangzhou Board Games Association and the Vietnam Chess Federation. The latter sent a delegation to the city for matches and communication.

"During their visit to Yangzhou, representatives from both sides engaged in numerous friendly matches and visited the Zaolinwan School, a featured Chinese chess school in Jiangsu province, where they interacted with the young Chinese chess players," Wang said.

Luu Duc Hai, vice-chairman of the Vietnam Chess Federation, said: "China is the birthplace of Chinese chess, and we came here with a learning mindset in response to the invitation. We hope to enhance our skills through interactions with local Chinese chess experts.

"We also hope to learn from Yangzhou's experience in nurturing young Chinese chess talents," he added, expressing the desire for the enduring friendship between China and Vietnam through the bond of Chinese chess.

The Vietnamese group is working to get youth interested in the game.

"Vietnam also places great emphasis on cultivating young Chinese chess enthusiasts, with numerous Chinese chess competitions for young people, both online and offline, as well as a variety of Chinese chess-themed summer camp activities," Wang said.

Beyond Vietnam, countries like Malaysia and Singapore boast vibrant Chinese chess cultures, said Wang, who shared plans to boost Chinese chess exchanges with Southeast Asian nations, focusing on friendly matches and youth chess development.

Looking ahead, Wang expressed hope for a return visit by the Chinese chess delegation of Vietnam during the autumn season, leveraging the game as a conduit to promote and preserve Chinese chess culture, deepen friendships and advance people-to-people exchanges.

Guo Jun contributed to this story.

[email protected]