According to a report by The Economic Observer, Wang Tianyi, a grandmaster often referred to as "China's No. 1 Xiangqi Player," has been formally arrested by the Hangzhou prosecutor's office. In addition to Wang Tianyi, other Xiangqi grandmasters are also under investigation. Earlier in April of this year, Wang Tianyi was questioned by the police on charges including "accepting bribes as a non-state functionary."
The allegations against Wang Tianyi involve match-fixing, where he or another Xiangqi grandmaster, Wang Yuefei, allegedly offered benefits to opponents to secure victories and improve their ranking points. They also accepted money from opponents to lose games deliberately. The total amount of money exchanged in Wang Tianyi and Wang Yuefei's match-fixing activities reportedly exceeds 800,000 RMB.
Wang Tianyi was once seen as having a promising future. Since 2014, he had been ranked as the top Xiangqi player in China for eleven consecutive years. In 2023, his rating reached 2800 points, the highest in the history of Xiangqi since the introduction of the rating system. However, his descent into illegal activities is deeply disappointing, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the honors he once held. It raises whether he was truly playing Xiangqi or engaging in unethical schemes.
Around April 2023, a recorded phone conversation between two Xiangqi grandmasters, Wang Yuefei and Hao Jichao, caused an uproar in the Xiangqi community. In the conversation, they mentioned Wang Tianyi and discussed how Wang Yuefei and Wang Tianyi were involved in match-fixing, manipulating the outcomes of Xiangqi games. They even hinted at using "special methods" to cheat during matches.
Wang Tianyi's arrest, in some ways, confirms the authenticity of the previously leaked "recording scandal" and related allegations, but further investigation is still needed. Xiangqi, a cultural treasure of the Chinese nation, should not be degraded into a tool for a few individuals to buy and sell victories or to profit from bribery.
According to Criminal Law, non-state functionaries who, by taking advantage of their positions, solicit or illegally accept property from others to benefit those others or who, in economic transactions, use their positions to violate state regulations by accepting kickbacks or service fees under various pretexts for personal gain, and where the amount involved is significant, are guilty of the crime of accepting bribes as a non-state functionary. Conversely, those who, to seek illegitimate benefits, offer property to staff members of companies, enterprises, or other units, and where the amount involved is significant, are guilty of the crime of offering bribes as a non-state functionary. Therefore, what is called match-fixing is, in essence, bribery and corruption. This issue extends beyond withdrawing from tournaments or returning prize money; it requires serious criminal investigation and prosecution.
Given that the exact details of the case have not yet been fully disclosed, the reported sum of 800,000 RMB involved in Wang Tianyi and Wang Yuefei's match-fixing may not be the entire amount. Even if we set aside the specifics, any involvement in illegal activities, regardless of the amount, must be dealt with strictly within the framework of the law, without any leniency based on the individual's status.
Some may lament the downfall of a Xiangqi grandmaster like Wang Tianyi. Still, the real tragedy lies in his crossing of legal boundaries and turning Xiangqi into a tool for trading victories. This not only ruins his career but also tarnishes the reputation of Xiangqi.
Only by enforcing strict legal penalties can a warning be sent to others. It is hoped that the relevant authorities will conduct a thorough investigation, bringing all those involved in criminal activities to justice, thereby preserving the integrity of competitive sports and the image of Xiangqi.
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