Liu Zhongfu's official career, dates of birth and death, and native place are all absent from extant public records, and his nationality cannot be verified with certainty. What can be confirmed is that a single work on chess, Qijue (Chess Formulas), survives under his name. The book is a treatise on the game of go, centering on chess principles and practical essentials rather than empty generalities. Its language is concise, its organization clear, and its discussions closely tied to actual play, reflecting the author's familiarity with the craft and his pragmatic attitude. Though brief, Qijue has long been valued by students of the game and is classed among classic works, which shows its weight in go literature. Given the limited sources, little else about Liu Zhongfu can be described in detail, and his precise place in the history of chess and his personal connections await further study.
