Name: Hong Zhi 洪 智 16/7/1980-present

Birthplace: Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China
Titles: GM, International Master
Summary of achievements:
2005 Chinese National Xiangqi Singles Champion Winner of the 5 Rams Cup in 2006
Gold Medallist of the ASEAN Games in 2010
Key member of the Shanghai Team who won gold in the 2007 National Team Championships in China
Nicknames: 流浪棋王 The Wandering Chess King (from http://www.dpxq.com/hldcg/qishou_5.html )

Hong Zhi was born in WuHan City in Hubei province in 1980. He was admitted to the Sports Academy to learn Xiangqi under the guidance of local Xiangqi Master Hu Yuanmao 胡遠茂 in 1990. He flourished under under Hu’s guidance and became the Hubei Youth Xiangqi Champion the following year in 1991.

For his achievements, he was quickly recruited to the Hubei team, and came directly under the guidance of Grandmaster Liu Dahua. In 1995 he came in 2nd place in the National Youth Xiangqi Championships and in 1996, he participated in the men’s open section and came in 15th place, making him eligible for the title of Xiangqi master. Hong continued to do very well in competition in the ensuing years. In 1998, Hong joined the Jilin Provincial Xiangqi Team and was one of the major contributors when the Jilin team became runner up in the National Team Championships in 1999. Hong continued to achieve in the Xiangqi arena. It was very disappointing for Hong when he was just a few points short of making Grandmaster in 2003 after he won “磐安偉業杯” with a 4W5D0L record. This was a competition whereby only Xiangqi Masters were eligible. But he had already made his mark on the Xiangqi scene. He came in 8th place in the National Xiangqi Single’s Championship in 2004 and for his achievements, he was invited to take part in the 5 Rams Cup tournament after the rules had been relaxed.

2005 was the turning point in his life. Hong had just switched to the Chongqing team and was instrumental in leading the team back into division A in the National Team Xiangqi Championships. Hong did not stop there as he continued to soar. He won the National Xiangqi Singles Championship in November 2005, making him grandmaster and was cordially invited again to take part in the 5 Rams Cup and won the event in 2006, making him the king of kings! Hong bagged a few more titles over the next few years. In the international arena, Hong Zhi’s achievements are also impressive. He came in runner up in the first ever Mind Games held in October 2008. In 2010, Hong was the gold medallist in the Asean games. Hong is still one of China's hottest players today and his rankings have been in the top 10 for a long time! More is expected of this young player.

First created: 18th Oct 2011
Last updated: 18th April 2011
Acknowledgements: None yet

References:
In Chinese, http://www.dpxq.com/hldcg/qishou_5.html In Chinese,
<<象棋知识>> by 杨柏伟 In Chinese,
<<大师棋路 洪智>> by 孙志伟 刘海亭

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