Ni Hua and Zhu Jiner emerged as the winners of the 2022 Yinzhou Cup China Chess TV Rapid tournament that took place from December 25-26. The fifth edition of this popular event was held in the open and women’s sections online on chess.com. Both tournaments were 4-player double-round robins with rapid time control.

The open event saw a fierce fight for the top position with three players – the rating favourite Ding Liren, Li Chao and Ni Hua tying for the first place, scoring 3½/6 each. The first prize of 100,000 Yuan goes to Ni Hua, thanks to better tiebreaks (the direct encounters). The runner-up Ding Liren received 50,000 Yuan for his effort.  

Ding Liren vs Ni Hua

Final standings Open:

The women’s competition was not as tense as Zhu Jiner grabbed the lead on the first day and clinched the title after beating Zhai Mo in the final sixth round. The champion netted 4½/6 and landed the 40,000 Yuan first prize. Cuo Qi and the Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun shared second place on 3/6, with the former taking the second prize of 30,000 by dint of better tiebreaks.

Guo Qi vs Zhu Jiner

Final standings Women:

The group of arbiters  

Organized by Ningbo Yinzhou District Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau, Ningbo Yinzhou District Sports Federation, Ningbo Yinzhou District Sports Center and Ningbo Game Chess Club, and Ningbo Yinzhou District Chess Association, the competition was sponsored by Chess and Card Sports Administration Center of State General Administration of Sport, China Chess Association and the People’s Government of Ningbo Yinzhou District and supported by Zhejiang Intellectual Sports Administration Center.

The tournaments were broadcast live on the whole network via Xinhua News Agency live Cloud, China Leisure Sports TV and other platforms, with GM Wen Yang and national NM Zhou Min working as commentators.