Who Is Li Haoyu: The Chinese Chess Prodigy Who Got FIDE Ban

The chess world is full of blockbuster headlines these days, and we have another one buzzing the board. Meet Li Haoyu, once known as China’s chess prodigy, now in the spotlight for a reason nobody expected: a six-month FIDE ban. Ever wondered how a promising career can take such an unusual turn? Here’s the full story.

Why Did Li Haoyu Get Banned?

Li Haoyu was charged with a six-month ban for “sandbagging.” In chess, that means deliberately losing games to lower your rating, a tactic usually done to get easier opponents or other unfair advantages. Between August 2023 and August 2024, Li’s rating nosedived by a whopping 400 points, dropping from 2372 to 1979. In just two tournaments, he lost 13 games in a row, often with loads of time still on his clock and only a couple of opponents who were rated higher than him. This raised major eyebrows, and even the Chinese Chess Association flagged his performance as suspicious, pushing FIDE to launch an investigation.

When questioned, Li Haoyu claimed his unusual time management was a strategy modelled after top players, saying he tried to pressure opponents by playing quickly. But officials weren’t convinced, pointing out that the results made no sense given his rating and experience levels. In the end, the panel ruled that he breached the rules and harmed the reputation of the game. The ban is set to run for six months, starting July 31, 2025, and Li has the right to appeal within 21 days.

Who Is Li Haoyu?

Born in 1989 in Tianjin, northern China, Li Haoyu is no random player. He exploded onto the chess scene as a kid, stunning everyone by reaching a rating of 2393 at just 10 years old in July 1999, a level that’s extraordinary even by today’s standards. Li won the Chinese Under-10 Youth Championship two years in a row, and later took the Under-12 crown with a perfect 11/11. He also grabbed second place in the 1999 World Under-10 Youth Championship, finishing ahead of future grandmasters with 9/11.

Despite such early promise, Li Haoyu chose not to chase chess full-time as a teenager; he focused on his studies and only played occasionally, keeping a steady 2300 rating for many years. His career highlight included a remarkable victory over a grandmaster in the Chinese League after returning to competitive chess in 2022.

Li Haoyu’s Achievements

• Double Chinese Youth Champion (U10 in 1998 and 1999)
• U12 national title in 2001 with a flawless score
• Silver at the 1999 World U10 Chess Championship
• Beat multiple future chess grandmasters as a pre-teen
• Maintained a strong FIDE rating of around 2300-2395 for more than a decade

Career Setback and FIDE Ban Period

Things went south rapidly in 2023–2024 when he started losing to too many lower-rated players, something totally out of the ordinary for a chess player of his level. The FIDE ban will last for six months, from July 31, 2025, to January 30, 2026. During this time, Li Haoyu can’t participate in any FIDE-rated chess events worldwide, but he has a small window to appeal the decision if he chooses. For now, the chess world watches and waits for Li’s next move.

Also read: Five-Year-Old Aarini Lahoty Makes History With FIDE Chess Rating