The Candidates Tournament as a Goal
The recent winner of the prestigious Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands, has confirmed his participation in the Prague Masters tournament. However, 25-year-old Wei Yi has previously attempted to compete in Prague twice. In 2019 he had to cancel at the last minute due to his commitments to the national team and his participation in the World Team Championship in Astana. A year later he was unable to attend because of the covid-19 pandemic.
Despite these setbacks, next February will not be Wei’s first time in Czechia. „Yes, I have been to Czech Republic, but that was a long time ago. That was my first time going abroad to play tournaments. In 2008, I participated in a school team tournament with my coach and teammates.“ Just a year later, Wei Yi won the under-11 section of the 5th World School Chess Championship held in Thessaloniki and continued to astonish the chess world with his results, often incredible for his age. The Chinese prodigy triumphed across various categories and often defeated much older opponents. At just 13 years old, he secured 11th spot in the under-20 World Championship!
Wei Yi’s record-breaking journey seemed unstoppable, as he earned the title of “youngest” in various categories. In the 2013 World Cup, he defeated Nepomniachtchi and Shirov, becoming the youngest player in history to achieve a rating above 2600. A year later, at just 15, he attended Chess Olympiad with Chinese national team. He began the year of 2015 by winning the Challenger Group at the Tata Steel Chess tournament. He continued with winning the Chinese Championship and leaving behind Ding Liren, Wang Hao or Yu Yangyi, or progressing to the quarterfinals of the Chess World Cup. However, his most significant achievement that year was crossing the 2700 mark as the youngest player ever. This broke the previous record held by Magnus Carlsen. At the time the future world champion Ding Liren remarked: „I am merely a small stream or a small hill in his path, surpassing me and everyone else is just a matter of time for him!“
By then, Wei Yi is already firmly established among the world’s TOP-50 players, steadily accumulating titles. He claimed another gold at the national championship and won the Asian Continental Championship. In 2019, he reached the finals of the FIDE Grand Prix. During this period, he also completed his first year at the Tsinghua University, where he studied Economics and Management. However, due to his academic commitments and the COVID-19 pandemic, Wei Yi temporarily disappeared from the global chess scene.
This year, the current world #9 has returned in full strength. As mentioned, he won the title in Wijk aan Zee, earned silver at the Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland, and in June he successfully completed his studies. At just 25 years old, Wei Yi is primed for his next big challenges. When asked about his main goals, he shared: „Currently, my next major goal is to enter the Candidates. But obviously, it's not easy. Therefore, before that, I need to try hard to win high-level competitions and strive for more possibilities.“ The Prague Masters tournament, which regularly features in the FIDE Circuit, offers opportunity to qualify for the Candidates Tournament. Speaking about his expectations for the Prague Chess Festival, Wei Yi said: „I know there will be a high-level event, and my opponents are strong and experienced. However, even so, if possible, I still hope to try to fight for the champion.“
Whoever raises the Masters tournament trophy on Friday, March 7, 2025, one thing is certain: Wei Yi is poised to make history at the Prague International Chess Festival as the first player from the world’s top 10 to compete. Fans have every reason to be excited.