Malaysia's Champion State Emerges! Li Dezhi Wins MVP with a Perfect Score

The 2024 Malaysia National Xiangqi Team Championship took place from June 15th to June 17th in Kluang, Johor. This official annual event brought together elite players from each state, including three players in the open category and one youth player. In recent years, the competition rules have evolved from requiring youth players to compete only against other youth players, to allowing teams to freely adjust their board order, demonstrating that youth players are just as strong as those in the open category. The development of Xiangqi in Malaysia is progressing well.

Opening Ceremony

Highlight of the tournament

Favorites Negeri Sembilan Start with a Loss, Miss Out on Championship Finals

Despite being the favorites, Negeri Sembilan, boasting two Xiangqi masters and a youth champion, failed to make it to the championship finals. In the first and second rounds, they drew with Putrajaya and lost to Johor A. Although they secured three consecutive victories afterwards, they could not advance to the finals.

Defending Champions Kuala Lumpur Also Miss Out on Finals

Last year's team champions, Kuala Lumpur, were also unable to reach the finals. In the preliminary stage, they lost to the eventual champions Kedah and the runner-up Penang, thus missing out on the championship match.

Kedah Dominates, Secures Spot in Finals with Four Consecutive Wins

Kedah, the previous year's runner-up, showed unstoppable form with four consecutive victories, securing their place in the finals ahead of time. In the finals, Kedah and Penang were evenly matched, drawing in regular play and moving to a tiebreaker. Even the tiebreaker couldn't separate the teams, but according to the rule that a draw in the additional match gives victory to the black side, Kedah narrowly claimed the championship.