GMs’ Toronto itinerary announced; simultaneous exhibitions set for May 27

Two of China’s greatest xiangqi players will challenge some of Toronto’s best when they visit the city at the end of the month.

Five-time Chinese champion, Lu Qin, will give a simultaneous exhibition against 18 A-level opponents. At the same time, former Chinese champion Xu TianHong will take on four well-known Toronto players:

• 2011 Toronto Champion, Wang Weiqiang
• 2010 Toronto Champion, Lin Shixiong
• 2009 Toronto Champion, Li Yachao
• experienced non-Asian player, Bill Brydon.

[singlepic id=121 w=207 h=320 float=right] Both of these exhibitions will take place between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. on May 27 at New Kennedy Square near Kennedy and Highway 7. All are invited to come and watch. Challengers who win or draw will receive cash & prizes worth more than $2,000.

The event will include a special programs, “Chess & Life”, by Mr. Wan Cedel. After the exhibitions, there will be a farewell dinner for the GMs at 7 p.m. at the Mong Kok Chinese Restaurant (also at New Kennedy Square).

During their Toronto visit, the GMs will also give press interviews, attend a number of dinners and brunches, and visit Niagara Falls. The grandmaster visit is jointly organized by the Toronto Xiangqi Association and the Scarborough Seniors Club.

More information is available from Mr. Gao Guoxi at +1.647.994.4544, from Mr. Li Hanqi +1.647.866.2882, and from Elton Yuen at elyuen@yahoo.com.

Below is the GMs’ Toronto itinerary, followed by summaries of their accomplishments. Here in pdf form is the Chinese Team Visit Program. The image above right is the event poster; click on it for a larger version.

New Kennedy Square
8360 Kennedy Road
Markham, ON

Star King Viet Thai Cuisine
7050 Warden Ave
Markham, ON
Canada

Mong Kok Chinese Restaurant
8360 Kennedy Road, Unit B06
Markham, ON

Lu Qin – International Grandmaster

• 5-time China National Champion
• 12-time National Team Champion
• 2-time National League Champion
• 2-time National Sports Team Champion
• The 1st World Mind Sports Games Team Champion
• The 4th National Sports Individual & Team Champion
• 9-time Asian Team Champion
• 2-time Asian Champion
• 5-time World Championships Team & Individual Champion
• Guangdong Province Chess Sports Management Center Director
  
• Chinese Xiangqi Association Technical Committee Director

Xu TianHong – International Grandmaster

• 1989 China National Champion
• 3-time Asian Team Champion
• The 3rd Asian Championships Runner-up
• The 3rd World Championships Team & Individual Champion
• Jiangsu Province Chess Sports Management Center Deputy Director
• Chinese Xiangqi Association Technical Committee Deputy Director