During the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s and 1970s, China’s leadership considered chess a decadent Western pastime and banned it, along with many other intellectual pursuits. Chess enthusiasts were persecuted, and the game went underground.
However, China’s stance on chess began to shift in the late 1970s with the country’s opening up to the world. Chess was reintroduced, and the government recognized its potential for intellectual development and international prestige. Chinese chess players were given the resources and support they needed to excel on the global stage.
This investment bore fruit in the early 2000s when Grandmaster Xie Jun became the Women’s World Chess Champion in 1991 and then regained the title in 1994. On the men’s side, Grandmaster Zhu Chen won the Women’s World Chess Championship in 2001, highlighting the nation’s prowess in chess.
Source:-the Indian Express
But perhaps the crowning achievement came with the rise of Grandmaster Ding Liren in the men’s chess world. Ding Liren became a top contender, reaching a peak rating above 2800 and challenging for the World Chess Championship title, solidifying China’s presence among the chess elite.Source:-bbc newsOn the women’s front, Hou Yifan emerged as a chess prodigy, earning her Grandmaster title at just 14. Hou Yifan went on to become the Women’s World Chess Champion and played a crucial role in popularizing chess in China, particularly among young girls.
China’s chess revolution reflects the nation’s ability to adapt, embrace intellectual pursuits, and cultivate world-class talent despite past restrictions. Today, China stands as a chess superpower, with both men’s and women’s world champions, a testament to the enduring power of this ancient game and the country’s commitment to excellence in all fields
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