The world of Chinese chess was shaken on Tuesday by a resounding scandal, after the withdrawal of a title from a player for scabrous behavior amid allegations of cheating. Xiangqi, literally “elephant chessboard” or Chinese chess, is extremely popular in Asia where its name differs depending on the country.
It is played with pawns, traditionally marked by symbols, to be placed on the intersections of a gridded board, and not on squares unlike the classic chess game. Yan Chenglong, 48, became China’s Xiangqi champion last week.
But his joy was short-lived because the Chinese Xiangqi Federation (CXA) announced on Monday the stripping of his title for “inappropriate behavior” and “disturbing public order”.
Alcohol behavior “contrary to public order and good morals”
After his victory on December 17, “Mr. Yan consumed alcohol in his hotel room with other people,” detailed the CXA. “Then the next day, he defecated in the bathtub of his room, damaging the hotel property,” criticized the federation, in a press release denouncing behavior “contrary to public order and good morals”.
Yan Chenglong is banned from competition for a year and all his prizes won this year will be confiscated, the CXA said. Xiangqi tournaments in China generally promise rewards of the order of several thousand euros to the winners.
Smart anal beads
The federation was also forced to comment on allegations of cheating against Yan Chenglong. According to messages on social networks, the player allegedly used smart anal beads to obtain gaming instructions transmitted by computer through vibrations. “It is impossible at this stage to confirm that Mr. Yan cheated through ‘anal beads’,” assured the Chinese Xiangqi Federation.
Last week, the CXA praised “the spectacular high level of play” of the tournament won by Yan Chenglong. The now fallen champion then appeared in a photo proudly brandishing his trophy and a prize certificate.