The Chinese Chess Association (CXA) has announced the list of athletes participating in the tournament held in Chengdu (Suschuan) from January 21 to 24. Lai Ly Huynh is one of the two chess players specially admitted to the final round, alongside Trieu Phan Vi.
Qi Chengboi, organized by the Sichuan Chess Association, is one of the largest tournaments in the Chinese chess world in the first half of 2026.
The total prize value is up to 421,000 yuan (about 1.6 billion VND), of which the champion receives 100,000 yuan (nearly 400 million VND). Players who reach the final round are also guaranteed a minimum prize of 5,000 yuan (about 20 million VND).
According to the format, the qualifying round is divided into 20 groups, including 14 men's groups, 2 women's groups, 2 groups for Hong Kong (China), Macau (China), Taiwan (China) players and 2 groups for Southeast Asia region. Host China sends a maximum of 92 men's players and 14 women's players to participate. The eight top players in the CXA rankings will directly enter the final round.
The home team's seed list includes top players such as Trinh Vu Dong, Manh Phon Due, Manh Than, Hoang Quang Dinh, Vuong Vu Bac, Ha Van Triet, Quach Phung Dat and Luu Bach Hoanh.
Although currently ranked 14th on CXA's rankings thanks to the runner-up achievement of Ngu Duong Boi, Lai Ly Huynh is not in the group that is directly admitted to the rankings.
However, the organizers decided to award 2 wildcards and select Vietnamese chess players along with Trieu Phan Vi - who is making strong progress when rising to 11th place in China.
Ky Thanh Boi has a clear international nature, gathering many masters from China and countries and territories with developed chess movements such as Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong (China) or Taiwan (China).
The fact that Lai Ly Huynh continues to be awarded a special scholarship shows the high appreciation of Chinese experts for the world champion.
According to the Vietnam Chess Federation, in addition to Lai Ly Huynh, chess player Nguyen Minh Nhat Quang (HCMC) will participate from the qualifying round.
