The fourth Forshang Cup is set for August 19 to 26 in the US. The top 16 from the last running in 1999 are all eligible to return. I’ve listed these below.
The crucial question now is whether China will send a team. The Forshang Cup is funded by the Forshang World Foundation, a Buddhist organization with a property in Hawaii. This site was used for the tournament in 1998 and 1999. In 1998, the Chinese team withdrew in protest over the appearance of Taiwanese flags. In 1999, China did not send a team. Only the first Forshang Cup, in 1997, featured China’s superstars.
The announcement for this year’s tournament does not specify a US location. Since the Chinese can not be expected to go to the Forshang Hawaii venue, this may be a good sign. Another good sign may be the stipulation that teams are to name themselves after cities. Taiwanese players represent "Taipei" when they play in China.
The Forshang Cup was conceived as an annual, but was not held in 2000. This, combined with China’s non-participation, has prompted fears that it may die out. Many players have been holding their breath.
Even without China, the tournament has made strides. The 1999 running was a splendid event, with excellent games all over the table. Its distinctive format guarantees drama: a series of knockout elimination games introduced into a Swiss tournament. The tournament is always followed by a bonus showdown between present and former champions.
The Forshang Cup is also Xiangqi’s most generous tournament. This years prize-fund will be $200,000, easily topping the $100,000 that the Brain Games Network has announced for its world championship. First through fourth will receive US$40,000, $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000, plus linked charity donations. Smaller amounts will go to those finishing fifth through 20th.
One item does appear to have slipped off the agenda. The 2000 tournament was to have been followed by a showdown of present and former champions in Lausanne, Switzerland. The idea was to showcase Chinese chess before the International Olympic Commission. The announcement does not mention this plan.
A key goal of the Forshang Foundation’s chairman, San-Don LEE, is to have Chinese chess recognized as a mind sport, so that it, together with chess, can become an Olympic Sport.
The tournament announcement was circulated in February. Teams are invited to nominate players to supplement the 16 automatically eligible. The Forshang organizers will choose from among these nominations, and also invite "several master chess players". Will these be Chinese GMs? Here’s hoping.
Here are the top finishers from the Third Forshang Cup in 1999. All are eligible for this year’s tournament.
1. Kui Lin WU, Taiwan
2. Kuo Hsin CHEN, Taiwan
3. Thanh Minh MAI, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
4. Weng Yeow HOR, West Malaysia
5. Chian Chih LIN, Taiwan
6. Ma Chung WEI, Taiwan
7. Hai Qin MOU, New York, USA
8. Vorapong U-Piriyasakul, Thailand
9. Tat Man LEUNG, Hong Kong
10. Cao Khoa DAO, Hanoi, Vietnam
11. Phuc NGUYEN, Toronto, Canada
12. Jing Yuan WANG Calgary, Canada
13. Dot Sun YAN, San Fransisco, USA
14. Yew Sum LUM, Singapore
15. Yi Shih LIN, Taiwan
16. Kah Kheng LEE, W.Malaysia
|
