Jeu de Dames - Site officiel de la Fédération Française de Jeu de Dames

There are magical moments that must be appreciated. Two years ago, Antoine Almanza and his team organized a double world event in Drancy. On that occasion, I met Saiya Gangsuhe, a young Chinese player who stood out for her kindness and talent.
Two years later, she qualified for the World Championship, which took place from September 27 to October 5 in Couva, on the island of Trinidad in the Caribbean.
And she became the world runner-up, at just 26 years old, tied on points with the champion Viktoriya Motrichko.
With her characteristic kindness and simplicity, she agreed to answer a few of my questions, for which I am very grateful. This interview is presented in its original version and translated in another post

JPD : French draughts players are intrigued by the rapid progress of Asian players, both men and women, at the highest international level. How do you explain this progress?
SG : Since there is many software and website has provided large materials, we got many helps from great players from all over the world. And for me, my coach is Alexander Baliakin, who training me since 2023, so I got improved a lot.

JPD : China is a huge country. Could you tell us which region you live in and whether draughts is popular throughout the country or only in certain regions?
SG: I'm living in HangZhou, which is a city near by ShangHai. We are trying to make draughts more popular, and it is some how achieving. But since China has a huge population, draughts is still a minority in sports.

JPD : “The master or tournament of Go” written by Yasunari Kawabata, occupied an important place during my adolescence. This fascinating duel over several months, with mutual respect between the two opponents, filled my thoughts and served as a model. What is your relationship with the game of Go?
SG: Go is an important part of Chinese tradition, and there's many famous idiom that Go players usually say, like "be humble in victory and brave in defeat". Though I didn't really played Go, it has influence my attitude toward mind sports.

JPD : I imagine you appreciate the significance of your title as world vice-champion, tied on points with the champion Viktoriya Motrichko. All the world's top players were there. Winning four games is a really great achievement. But before we talk about this championship, why not to take a look back at your career.
How did you discover draughts, and at what age did you start playing seriously?
SG: My father Gangsuhe is one of the earliest draughts coach in China. Before I was playing chess, and I learned draughts at my age seven, and soon turns to professional player.

JPD: what are the main steps you have taken to reach this stage?
SG: I had training as a professional player for a very long time. My mainly achievement was start from World Youth Championship 2018, and next year luckily got rapid champion in IMSA. First place in World Cup last year encouraged me a lot.

JPD: You have reached a first peak by becoming one of the strongest international players. Your young age gives you great prospects for the future. What are your plans and goals?
SG: I will try my best to improve my skill and knowledge in draughts. At the next world championship, which is two years later, I wish my playing level have a graet develop.

JPD : How did you approach this world championship?
SG: I have played many games with the time control, and learned new openings and strategies. Also exercise tooks a lot of time, since the championship requires physical endurance.

JPD : How would you describe your game? Are there any champions who inspire you?
SG: I'm a kind of risky player, hard to say it's good or not.

JPD: The next step could be your match against Viktoriya Motrichko. Can you tell us more about it?
SG: I'm not sure about that, I think the match is between Viktoriya Motrichko and Darya Tkachenko.

JPD: Do you have anything to add?
SG: Thank you very much for inviting me to this interview. I am very honored.
JPD : French draughts players are truly grateful to you for sharing your experience at the highest level with us.