Chinese Chess Association (CCA)

♟️ About Chinese Chess Association (CCA)

The Chinese Chess Association (CCA / 中国国际象棋协会) is the national governing body for international chess in China. Headquartered in Beijing, it represents Chinese chess within the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the Asian Chess Federation. China joined FIDE in 1975, while the international-chess organization, originally operating within the broader Chinese board-games structure, became an independent association in 1986. Today, the CCA oversees national championships, leagues, player registration, elite training, youth development, coaching and arbiter programs, and China’s participation in major international competitions. The federation operates one of the world’s largest competitive chess systems. Its calendar includes the Chinese Individual Championships, National Team Championships, China Chess League, National Rapid and Blitz Championships, national youth championships, the long-running Li Chengzhi Cup, association-master tournaments, and national open events. In addition, the CCA organizes and supports major international competitions in China. Its 2026 program included the SCO Countries Team Championship in Shanghai, the Asian Youth Chess Championships in Shenzhen, and the Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship in Hainan. Four-time Women’s World Champion Xie Jun has served as President of the Chinese Chess Association since December 2024. Former Women’s World Champion Xu Yuhua serves as Secretary General and Director of the Chess Department at the General Administration of Sport’s Chess and Card Sports Management Center, making her a principal operational figure within the federation. As of September 1, 2026, the CCA is preparing its national teams for the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad, scheduled for September 15–27 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, following two closed training camps and an official departure ceremony on August 30.

🏛️ National Chess Structure and Leadership

The CCA works with provincial and municipal chess organizations, chess academies, sports authorities, clubs, schools, coaches, and tournament organizers across China. Xie Jun was elected President at the association’s 10th National Members’ Congress. The current leadership also includes Vice Presidents Zhao Aiguo, Li Jingsheng, Zhu Dijian, Xu Jun, and Ni Hua, while Xu Yuhua serves as Secretary General. In addition to federation administration, Xu Yuhua heads the Chinese national chess training program. In 2026, she was appointed leader of the national training team’s coaching group and also served as Tournament Director for the China Chess League.

🏆 Chinese National Championships

The 2026 Chinese Individual Chess Championships took place in Xinghua, Jiangsu, from May 8–18. A record 104 players competed, including 66 in the Open section and 38 in the Women’s section. Both championships were played over 11 Swiss-system rounds at 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. The winners also earned direct qualification for China’s 2026 Olympiad teams. GM Xu Xiangyu won his first national Open title with 8.5/11, finishing ahead of Kong Xiangrui and Xu Yinglun. In the Women’s Championship, Yan Tianqi also scored 8.5/11 to claim her first national title, ahead of Chen Yining and Wang Qinxuanyi. The federation additionally runs national team championships, rapid and blitz competitions, Open events, and the China Chess League, which brings together professional teams representing major cities, provinces, institutions, and commercial partners.

🎓 Youth Chess and Development

Youth chess is one of the CCA’s largest development areas. The annual Li Chengzhi Cup National Youth Championships remain a cornerstone of the national system. The 31st Li Chengzhi Cup concluded in February 2026 in Yancheng and Panjin. More than 1,400 young players from across China participated, covering categories from U8 through U20. International youth competition also played a major role in 2026. The 28th Asian Youth Chess Championships opened in Shenzhen on July 16 with nearly 1,000 players from 30 countries and territories. Most recently, the CCA co-organized the 10th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship, which concluded in Hainan on August 29, 2026. Nearly 300 players from 14 East Asian federations competed across U8–U18 classical, rapid, and blitz categories. Chinese players won 23 of the tournament’s 36 gold medals, including ten gold medals in classical chess.

🌍 International Competition and National Teams

China has established an exceptional record in international chess. Chinese women have produced multiple individual World Champions, including Xie Jun, Zhu Chen, Xu Yuhua, Hou Yifan, Tan Zhongyi, and Ju Wenjun, while Ding Liren became the first Chinese player to win the Open World Championship in 2023. The Chinese Open team won the Chess Olympiad in 2014 and 2018, while the women’s team has won multiple Olympiad and World Team titles. In April 2026, China also won the 8th SCO Countries Chess Team Championship in Shanghai. The winning team featured Ding Liren, Yu Yangyi, and Ju Wenjun, defeating Russia in the final. The next major assignment is the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand from September 15–27, 2026. China’s Open team consists of Ding Liren, Wei Yi, Yu Yangyi, Xu Xiangyu, and Kong Xiangrui. The Women’s team features Zhu Jiner, Song Yuxin, Lu Miaoyi, Zhai Mo, and Yan Tianqi.

🌟 International Events in China

The CCA regularly brings continental and international competitions to different regions of China. This strategy combines elite competition with local chess development and international exchange. In 2026, Shenzhen hosted the Asian Youth Championships and also became home to a new FIDE Shenzhen Office, strengthening direct cooperation between FIDE and the Chinese chess community. Meanwhile, the Shanghai SCO team event combined top-level international chess with youth and educational activities. The federation also supported international Opens, China-Russia youth exchanges, and events connected with the Belt and Road initiative. Through these programs, the CCA combines national-team development with mass participation, school chess, professional competition, and international cooperation.