In the second leg of the final, with the advantage of moving first, Cheng Yudong chose the classic "Immortal's Path" opening, while Lai Ly Huynh made a mistake. Trinh Vu Dong gradually pressured Lai Ly Huynh's weakened right flank, forcing the number one Vietnamese player to retreat into defense. In a weakened position, Lai Ly Huynh also made some bold attacking moves, but Cheng Yudong calmly neutralized them before launching a strong counter-attack, ultimately defeating Lai Ly Huynh.
The championship title at the Ngu Duong Cup earned Cheng Yudong a prize of 1.1 billion VND from the organizers. Meanwhile, as runner-up, Lai Ly Huynh received approximately 700 million VND in prize money from the organizers. Lai Ly Huynh also received 400 million VND in prize money from Mr. Nguyen Huu Luan, former President of the Vietnam Chess Federation and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Phuong Trang Group.
Throughout the tournament, Lai Ly Huynh played 10 games, recording 4 wins, 5 draws, and only 1 loss.
Born in 1990, Lai Ly Huynh is Vietnam’s leading xiangqi player. He won the world championship in 2025 and has claimed six national titles. He regularly competes in elite tournaments in China and has repeatedly made his mark against the country’s top prodigies.
The 2026 Wuyang Cup Finals featured 16 of the world’s strongest players. As the reigning world champion, Lai Ly Huynh received a wildcard entry from the organizers, while the remaining 15 spots were awarded to Chinese representatives.
Nguyen Khang