Victor Bologan
Zhu ChenPhoto: Zhang Weiyi
On site
By Chen Yiming
As being the venue for the upcoming mind sports of Asian Games, Hangzhou Qi-Yuan (Zhili) Chess Hall has been ready in all appearances to hold the Chess, Go, Bridge and Xiangqi competitions.
The grand building, with a total construction area of 126,000 square meters, is located near the Hangzhou Sports Centre venue cluster of the Asian Games. It has also attracted the attention from all parties regarding its international aspect, being the first mind sports complex encompassing functions of a competition venue, a museum, a library, and a base of communication, training, research, and creative industry.
“It is a very modern and advanced building, with multiple systems. The things I like are the media area, training area and the hotel upstairs," said Victor Bologan, a Chess Grandmaster and the executive president of International Chess Federation (FIDE), on his visit on July 17.
When interviewed by Mike Kahkun, a Zambian enthusiast invited by Hangzhou feel who is a graduate of Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, if the chess game is opened to everyone, Bologan replied, “Everyone could learn and play chess. It is accessible to all the people. They could find ways to participate. Although the chess competition cannot have audiences on the scene, the sport itself can be easy to get started."
“Chess basically is about the psywar between two competitors. It definitely entails concentration and patience, which requires persistent training and honing." When diving into the main difference between chess and other sports, Grandmaster Zhu Chen, Treasurer of FIDE Management Board, another visitor of the day, explained why chess players are required to be have great intelligence and keep calm during the matches.
On this trip, Zhu Chen and Bologan represented FIDE to conduct a constructive talk with Hangzhou Qi-Yuan (Zhili) Chess Hall with exchanges of both parties on the cooperative promotion and development of the sport of chess.
Having clinched the world chess title back in 2000, Zhu keeps forging ahead and brings back her experience and special memories to Hangzhou. It is her wish to enlighten the spirit and charm of chess games. While talking about her opinions of the chess hall, Zhu said she was deeply impressed by the general layouts with advanced equipment.
“I have been living Hangzhou for years and it could be my great honor to come back here again. I am excited about all the things I have seen around the venue." Zhu emphasized her great expectation to the building’s future. “If we take a look around the world, the Hangzhou Qi-Yuan (Zhili) Chess Hall has made remarkable achievement and highly meets the standards for holding chess events. I’m looking forward to its debut during the Asian Games."
Apart from the venue’s overall design and functions, Zhu particularized her wish for further cooperation. “It is my great wish to seek for some precious opportunities through future cooperation, especially chess culture communications between Hangzhou and other places".
In Zhu’s mind, Hangzhou has appeared with a brand-new image on the global platform. “Every time I came back to China, Hangzhou puts on a new look. I can directly perceive the tremendous change of this city when I see those newly built sports venues and other commercial buildings."
Taking an important role in the international chess arena, Zhu is more than willing to forge a connection between FIDE and her hometown. With chess’s increasing popularity and accessibility for people of all ages, to this sport, she believes that “it is very important to gain ground in China, but there are still ways for improvement, as more supports are called for from the society to encourage teenagers to positively take a part in."
On the initiative of Zhu, the International Female Chess Year has been successfully established with the aim of encouraging more women players to join the chess game. “The general society shall take the responsibility for upholding the women’s right. I expect that females will be given more attention. Actully, female and male athletes of all sports should be of equal importance." She said with emphasis.
Zhu has been playing chess no matter how her life changed, from her early career to her study in Tsinghua University, and now to being a mother. “The key to success as a chess player is to keep it as your interest, which is to remain curious and be eager to discover. In addition, understanding your weaknesses helps you progress."
Embracing the countdown to the exciting 19th Asian Games, Zhu Chen gave her best wishes to Hangzhou.
“I wish a great success for Hangzhou Asian Games, as well as a great accomplishment for chess games!"