At the tender age of fifteen, he was already representing China in the Asian Championships, securing the title of Asian Youth Champion. This was no ordinary individual, but a true prodigy. In that year, Tianyi's reputation in the world of chess spread like wildfire throughout the entire chess community. Who could have imagined that this fifteen-year-old young man already possessed the ability to compete with top international players?
His journey with chess began at the age of five, under the tutelage of his mentor Sun Yaoxian. With such remarkable mentorship from a young age, Tianyi's path to success was destined to be extraordinary. Not only did he find several top-notch instructors in Beijing, but he also participated in Zhang Qiang's Imperial Guard training program. During this time, he was like a tightly wound string, always ready to face greater challenges.
From his youthful triumphs to later national youth championships, he emerged as a rising star in the chess world. This kid is truly a natural-born player, a complete chess genius! Such was the assessment of Tianyi by netizens. His achievements were not solely the result of guidance from great teachers; they were also a testament to his own innate talent and hard work. As early as the age of twelve, he had already thrice won the national youth championship, earning him the title of "Prince of Chess" in the chess community. Step by step, Tianyi's name had been etched into the hearts of chess enthusiasts.
Even during his time at Peking University, Tianyi's chess career did not falter due to academic pressures. Despite the weight of academia, he never relinquished his passion for chess. In 2008, he triumphed at the Beijing Wenlong Cup, tying with Jiang Chuan, who held the highest ranking points, and emerged victorious based on tiebreak points. This match remains a topic of discussion among many chess fans to this day. It marked a significant breakthrough for a chess prodigy, signifying that Tianyi had not only made a name for himself in the youth chess arena but was also establishing his reputation in adult competitions.
Netizens commented: The progress of this Tianyi is truly dazzling; even in the 2008 Wenlong Cup, he could match Jiang Chuan's performance, which is truly admirable! Indeed, his performance was not merely a stroke of luck but the culmination of years of dedication.
By 2009, Tianyi was no longer just a young player winning gold medals in youth competitions. He entered the Xiangqi Super League, representing the Shenyang team, and quickly climbed to the top six in the goal-scoring charts. At that point, who dared to underestimate this young player? He had become a bona fide professional player, and his momentum was growing stronger.
Looking ahead, Tianyi's achievements soared. From 2010 to 2012, his personal competition performances steadily improved. Especially in 2012, he was invited to participate in the Cai Lun Bamboo Sea Cup, where he outperformed his competitors and took home a grand prize of 120,000 yuan. This victory was not only a personal breakthrough in his chess skills but also an important representation of the commercialization of chess events. This was no ordinary championship; winning a 120,000 yuan prize also made chess matches more appealing to spectators. Netizens praised this achievement, some even considering it a significant step towards the commercialization of chess. It cannot be denied that Tianyi's contributions to the development of chess are significant, not only for his exceptional chess skills but also for his role in advancing the game.
As time went on, Tianyi reached his peak. In 2014, he first topped the national ranking points, becoming the leading figure in the chess world at the age of 25. For consecutive years, his achievements rose steadily, akin to a straight line climbing upwards, and honors came pouring in, as he nearly swept all major tournament titles. This included three consecutive victories at the Country Garden Cup, as well as first place in both slow and fast chess at Sanya, where he once dominated the chess scene. Many chess fans refer to this period as the "Tianyi Era," believing that this was the golden age of chess, with Tianyi as its king.
Tianyi's success did not stop there; he was even more ambitious. He propelled the commercialization of chess, not only enhancing his market value through continuous achievements but also exploring the potential of the player transfer market. For instance, his transfers from the Shenyang team to Beijing, Inner Mongolia, Guangxi, Hangzhou, and other places caused the value of Xiangqi Super League events to rise. Through his efforts, the market potential of chess was gradually uncovered. Each increase in transfer fees represented a step forward and a leap for the chess industry.
Tianyi has truly blazed a new trail for chess, with his business acumen being as sharp as his chess skills! Such was the sentiment of netizens. This is not just praise for Tianyi's chess prowess but also recognition of his business mindset.
Tianyi's journey was not without its challenges. With the rise of new media platforms like TikTok, his fame began to be overshadowed by new chess stars and online content. Many started paying attention to the new generation of chess celebrities, and Tianyi, in the midst of it all, began to receive less attention. More unfortunately, he also made mistakes that led to public penalties. For him and his countless supporters, this was undoubtedly a heavy blow.
We sincerely hope he can overcome this; such a genius should not be misunderstood. Such was the voice of netizens. His mistakes brought immense psychological pressure, even affecting his competitive state. However, Tianyi did not give up easily. Instead, through reflection and adjustment, he rallied back. He made mistakes, but it is precisely because of this that his growth is even more deserving of our admiration. These words from the netizen reflect the sentiments of many.
Failure is not to be feared; what is fearful is your unwillingness to stand up after failure. Tianyi's road to recovery has just begun. Expectations for Tianyi have not changed. Although he has experienced lows, as many supportive netizens have said, past difficulties are but a part of his growth process.
Believing that after these trials, he will mature further and return to the pinnacle of chess with a more stable demeanor. Netizens commented: Tianyi has already bestowed so much glory upon us; all we need to do now is wait quietly for him to prove himself again. Everyone hopes that he can rise like a phoenix from the ashes and bring more surprises in the future.
Tianyi, we miss you. No matter how many challenges you've faced, you remain the most deserving of our respect as the Prince of Chess. We look forward to your early return to the summit, to once again bring us honor and excitement. The future of chess still needs you.