On December 9th, the Chinese chess and go events of the 12th National Paralympic Games and the 9th National Special Olympic Games were in full swing in Zhuhai. On the same night, the Master Exchange Match, part of the “Salute to the Self-Reliant” series of activities, was held simultaneously. Lv Qin, world champion of Chinese chess and international grandmaster of Chinese chess, and Liao Guiyong, professional 9-dan go player, faced off against more than a dozen para and Special Olympics Chinese chess and go athletes, making friends through chess and completing a warm match that transcended winning and losing.
The master exchange match included a 1-vs-10 Chinese chess game and a 1-vs-6 go game. Unlike the fierce competition of professional events, the chessboard witnessed not only the collision of chess skills but also the mutual nourishment of spirits.
“There was a completely blind visually impaired athlete playing chess, feeling the board with both hands to place pieces. His perseverance, earnestness and tenacity really touched me deeply,” Liao Guiyong said with emotion. In his view, although these disabled athletes have physical limitations, their pursuit of chess skills and courage in facing challenges are no less than those of professional athletes.
“The self-improvement and tenacious struggle spirit of disabled athletes is worthy of admiration for everyone. I hope all sectors of society will give them more care and support,” Lv Qin echoed deeply.
The Chinese chess and go competitions of this Paralympic and Special Olympic Games will last until the 12th. Athletes from all over the country will compete for honors and show their talents on the Zhuhai field. This master exchange match not only added a warm touch to the event but also built a bridge for communication between disabled people and all sectors of society, allowing more people to see the indomitable life force of disabled people.
