Synopsis
Wang Baoqiang returns to TV drama after many years, a Go teacher accidentally gets involved in a bank robbery and turns to crime, with his police brother in relentless pursuit—a suspenseful crime drama rated 7.5 on Douban.
Overview
"Chess Master" (English: Chess Master) is a 2025 Chinese mainland realistic life-flow crime web series, directed and written by Fang Yuan. The series is produced by Han Sanping and Wang Baoqiang, with Wang Baoqiang and Chen Minghao starring.
Set in a southern city at the turn of the century, the series tells the story of an ordinary Go teacher, Cui Ye, who becomes accidentally entangled in a crime due to an incident, gradually descends into criminality, and is relentlessly pursued by his police officer brother, Cui Wei.
The series premiered on March 25, 2025, on CCTV-8 and Tencent Video, with a total of 22 episodes. It received a 7.5 rating on Douban, making it the highest-rated suspense-crime series of 2025 in its genre.
Plot
Cui Ye (played by Wang Baoqiang) is an ordinary Go teacher living a mundane life in a southern city at the turn of the century.
While withdrawing money at a bank, he unexpectedly gets caught up in a robbery. This seemingly absurd coincidence becomes the starting point that alters the course of his life.
Leveraging his intelligence and strategic mind, Cui Ye gradually transforms from a passive victim into a central figure in criminal planning.
His police officer brother, Cui Wei (played by Chen Minghao), discovers during the investigation that his own brother is intricately connected to the case.
The two brothers engage in a thrilling chase, with the complexity of human nature and moral dilemmas running throughout the series.
Cast
| Role | Actor | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cui Ye | Wang Baoqiang | Go teacher, accidentally involved in crime |
| Cui Wei | Chen Minghao | Police officer, Cui Ye's brother |
| Important Role | Chen Yongsheng | Co-star |
| Wang Hongyu | Wang Zhi | Co-star |
| Important Role | Li Naiwen | Co-star |
| Qiu Jiawen | Li Meng | Co-star |
Production & Reception
The series is jointly produced by Han Sanping and Wang Baoqiang, marking Wang Baoqiang's return to television after many years.
Positioned as a realistic life-flow crime drama, unlike the fast pace of traditional suspense series, "Chess Master" employs a more subdued and nuanced narrative style to depict the struggles and choices of ordinary people in difficult situations.
As the return project for Tencent Video's X Theater after a 14-month hiatus, the series carried high expectations.
| Item | Data |
|---|---|
| Douban Rating | 7.5/10 |
| Number of Episodes | 22 episodes |
| Broadcasting Platforms | CCTV-8, Tencent Video |
| Premiere Date | March 25, 2025 |
| Genre | Life-flow Crime, Suspense |
| Producers | Han Sanping, Wang Baoqiang |
| Director | Fang Yuan |
Cultural Impact
"Chess Master" has been described as the Chinese version of "Breaking Bad," exploring the state and choices of individuals amidst the intense social transformations at the turn of the century.
References
- Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/36449461/
- Tencent Video: https://v.qq.com/x/cover/mzc00200htmlstu/
- Guangming Online: https://wenyi.gmw.cn/2025-04/10/content_37957841.htm
- News: https://news.china.com/socialgd/10000169/20250403/48169012.html
Comments (0)