Wang Minqing – Chasing Dreams of Greatness

Initially popularized as a war game, chess has garnered notoriety around the globe for many reasons. Even though it is not the oldest game, chess’s longevity is praiseworthy. Upon its inception, chess was categorized as a game reflecting warfare however, some Sri Lankan mythical origins suggest that the game was created to substitute warfare and provide a less violent equivalent to conflict. Later, when the game reached the Islamic world, which forbade games and gambling, chess was given a free pass because it was seen akin to strategizing for war, and in the Soviet Union, it was treated as a form of entertainment for the working class.

The game appeals to a wide demographic and an impressive number of people hailing from all over the world find the game appealing. A large chess tournament dome feels akin to a United Nations assembly due to the diversity present under one roof. Although with time, chess has been classified as a middle-class pastime, participants with working-class backgrounds also take great interest in the activity as well as competitions. Additionally, many children also participate in adult tournaments and it is no rare sight to find a nine-year-old playing against a sixty-nine-year-old. It can be said without a doubt that chess is one of those games where adults are hesitant to play against children, who often turn out better at the game than their ratings suggest. These children, while training from a young age, also appreciate the beauty of the game as well as appreciate the challenge of competition. Just like Wang Minqing, who won the Best Female Chess Player Award, at the 2019 National Chess Association Masters Tournament in Shenzhen, China, these kids start learning chess in kindergarten.

While some children get bored quickly, many find a reason to stick to learning; for Minqing, it was when she won the first championship that she fell in love with chess. However, not every child gets their way when it comes to life decisions and similar was the case with Minqing as she was not allowed to practice chess because her father pressured her to focus more on her studies. She, however, never gave up hope and her heart stayed with the game. Soon, one fateful meeting with a teacher gave her the courage to jump ship and start practicing chess again. For Minqing, chess is not just a game but her passion and she plans to explore the depth of this passion in full swing.

Born in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, Minqing started playing chess professionally at the Shenzhen International Chess Rank Championship in 2010, and in 2011, she participated in the Guangdong Provincial Chess Championship and was declared champion in the Women’s Under 7 Category. Her determination and enthusiasm for chess and challenges eventually led to her representing the Chinese team in the ASEAN Chess Junior Classic.

As of now, Minqing has participated in numerous chess tournaments and competitions including the National Chess Youth Championship and the 20th Li Chengzhi Cup in 2012; National Chess Children’s Championship, in which she came in third in women’s 8-year-old group; the Guangdong Provincial Chess Youth Championship in 2018 where she became champion in Women’s Group B.

Her accolades also include 1st place in Female District Youth Championship (under 18) and National Championships of Young People of Rapid Matches in the under 18 categories that happened in Portugal. Minqing’s desire to compete and determination towards chess led to her winning the Women’s prize in the 3rd Heidelberg Chess Autumn B Tournament. Despite being young, Minqing never faltered and kept pushing herself forward, competing in championships left and right, and cementing her place among the best of the best in one of the oldest games ever known to us.