Chapter 35: Chapter 35 Who Is Really Playing the Chinese Chess Game?
In Jiao Tong University.
The scene was set for the newcomer Chinese chess tournament's top three exhibition match. The newly crowned champions, Qian Quan and Li Zhiyi joined forces to take on over 20 chess players from the eight universities in the Minhua district.
In front of all the chess players, the two champions moved back and forth, making a move at each player's board almost without pause.
Five minutes later.
Players from both sides started to get eliminated.
After another two minutes, only half of Qian Quan's players remained.
However, despite the reduction in numbers, the pace of play between Qian Quan and Li Zhiyi didn't speed up; in fact, it became slower.
After another seven to eight minutes, only one player from Qian Quan's side was still holding on – it was the runner-up from today's competition.
The runner-up's seemingly balanced position was quickly overturned within three to five moves when facing Qian Quan.
Staring at the board for two minutes, he conceded by sacrificing a piece.
There were still two opponents on Li Zhiyi's side, but they were both approaching the endgame.
One minute later, both of Li Zhiyi's opponents were defeated simultaneously.
2 wins against 22 losses, still struggling to secure a single victory. They even failed to draw.
The atmosphere on the scene was somewhat strange.
Qian Quan said, "Just got some luck and chance. It's not easy at all."
Li Zhiyi didn't seem to feel that anything was off. She was waiting for her ultimate showdown with Qian Quan.
The host and rhythm master, the vice president of Jiao Tong University Chinese Chess Association, spoke up again.
"Well, I take back what I said earlier. The skill level of the two champions has exceeded my expectations. Even if I had played just now, I wouldn't dare to claim a certain victory."
"I guess everyone feels the same way right now, all waiting for the ultimate showdown between the two champions."
"But, this morning, these two already had a match that ended in a draw. Since it's an exhibition match now, why don't we try a different approach for the next round? How about a blindfolded Chinese chess match?"
Blindfolded chess tested Chinese chess skills and memory, and it was extremely challenging.
When he heard Jiao Tong University propose this match format, he realized they must be confident. He was about to speak when Qian Quan said, "Sure, I'm okay with that."
Naturally, Li Zhiyi had no objections.
So, the two of them sat back-to-back while their opponents for the current round, the runner-up and the third-place winner, helped them with their moves.
"In the morning, I played as red. Let Li Zhiyi play as red for this round," Qian Quan suggested.
Li Zhiyi nodded in agreement, then closed her eyes and began to make her moves.
In the room, over thirty people, some sitting and some standing fell silent. Everyone held their breath.
Qian Quan had his left arm crossed over his chest, his right elbow resting on his left hand's back, his right palm supporting his face, and he gazed somewhere in the distance.
Whenever one of them called out a move, the two students who were assisting them would make the move.
Snap!
The sound of the piece being placed down was crisp and clear as if it fell right onto the heart of each spectator.
Cao Chuande had seen blindfolded chess before, but this was undoubtedly the most nerve-wracking experience.
These two players, not yet twenty years old, possessed a master-level prowess in Chinese chess. They seemed to have transformed into supreme strategists from ancient times.
They commanded legions of soldiers and horses to fight on the battlefield, engaging in a unique and intense pinnacle battle.
The generals in heavy armor charged back and forth, tens of thousands of warhorses galloped and neighed, chariots rumbled, catapults swung ceaselessly...
Every command was followed by a clash of short-range weapons.
After twenty-some moves, the battlefield was already strewn with casualties.
Watching the Chinese chess game, the onlookers were engrossed, with some even holding their breath in tension.
Qian Quan played black, his "general" confidently stationed in the center, flanked by a pair of "elephants" guarding the edges.
However, next to the "general," there was only a lone "guard" left. The other one was taken out by the red "horse" that had come to assassinate it.
The "general" seemed quite enraged. Not only did he personally take down the "horse," but he also ordered his forces to press into the enemy's territory.
A chariot was stationed by the riverbank, with two horses and a cannon forming a dangerous formation, locking onto Li Zhiyi's "king."
After careful consideration, Li Zhiyi decided to use her "chariot" to rescue her "king."
It seemed Qian Quan had been waiting for this move. He then made a move that left the spectators dumbfounded.
He directly blocked his own "chariot" in front of Li Zhiyi's "chariot."
This move appeared to be purely suicidal.
Confusion was evident on the faces of the onlookers.
Li Zhiyi fell into a longer silence, her voice trembling slightly as she captured Qian Quan's "chariot."
Qian Quan's tone remained casual as he moved his "horse."
After the piece was placed, someone in the room finally detected a strategy and began to deduce subsequent lethal moves.
The vice president of Jiao Tong University Chinese Chess Association sighed lightly, saying, "That's just ruthless," unable to bear watching any longer.
Li Zhiyi opened her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly. Surprisingly, her expression seemed somewhat relieved.
She stood up, turned towards Qian Quan, and asked, "Can I still play Chinese chess with you in the future?"
Qian Quan turned towards her, a gentle smile on his face as he replied, "Of course."
"Not just on our phones," she said. She didn't want to continue drawing on the app.
"Um... sure."
"Okay."
With that, the exhibition match came to an end.
The room immediately erupted in discussion.
All the doubts and thoughts that had accumulated while watching the game burst forth.
The newcomer Chinese chess tournament ended in the midst of lively discussions.
Jiao Tong University's dominant position remained unshaken. The participating students achieved excellent results, including champions and runners-up.
However, the true victor of this competition was undoubtedly Seacoast Normal University.
Although it was expected for Jiao Tong University to produce a strong newcomer like Li Zhiyi, Seacoast Normal University's Qian Quan appeared out of nowhere.
Not only did he share the championship with Li Zhiyi, but he also teamed up with her to stage an extraordinary 2 vs. 22 battle.
He was still using unconventional tactics to defeat Li Zhiyi in the exhibition match, astonishing the audience and taking the lead.
Leaving aside what kind of rewards Qian Quan would receive upon returning to school and the benefits it would bring to the Chinese chess club, Li Zhiyi, who won the championship but suffered a rare defeat, was currently quite excited.
She sent a message to her brother, Li Zihe: "Li Zihe, you guessed right. I really met that person."
Li Zihao quickly replied, "Which person?"
Li Zhiyi: "The one Zhao Baiyu mentioned."
Li Zihao: "Her grandfather's Chinese chess friend?"
Li Zhiyi: "Yeah."
Li Zihao: "How did you meet?"
Li Zhiyi then recounted her experiences of playing against Qian Quan both online and offline.
Li Zihe didn't reply for a while. After a few minutes, he responded, "That's quite a coincidence. I'll go to Azure Bay tomorrow to have a look."
Li Zhiyi didn't ask why and simply replied with an "Okay," ending the conversation.
In Hangzhou, at the West Lake Martial Arts Hall.
Li Zihe, dressed in training attire, sat cross-legged on the ground, his face serious as he looked at his phone.
After a while, he made a phone call.
"Hey, Baiyu. I want to ask you about something. You mentioned your grandfather's chess friend, the one who studies at Seacoast Normal University, right?"
"Oh, I was just suddenly curious and wanted to know him. After all, a guy who left an impression on you must be extraordinary."
"You mean your grandfather holds him in high regard?"
"Alright, got it. That's all for now, bye."
After hanging up the phone, Li Zihe's expression grew even more solemn. He then reported this matter to his father.
A coincidence?
It might be too coincidental.
How many chance encounters in this world are actually premeditated?
Who is really playing the Chinese chess game?
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