Hou Yifan Is Women’s World Champ!

Pix 1. GM Hou Yifan, the new Women’s World Chess Champion 2010 (picture courtesy of wwcc2010.tcf.org.tr)

25 December 2010, Kuala Lumpur – In Turkey, the Women’s World Chess Championship 2010 has produced the new Women’s Champion, GM Hou Yifan. She defeated WGM Ruan Lufei, 3-1 in the four rapid chess games held last night. They were tied 2-2 earlier after completing four classical games with a win each and a draw each.

During the playoffs last night, Hou Yifan was able to make the wins with white each time. Congratulations to the new Women’s World Champion, GM Hou Yifan!

 

 

(pictures courtesy of wwcc2010.tcf.org.tr)

Here is the fourth winning rapid game between World Champion, GM Hou Yifan of China against WGM Ruan, Lufei during the playoffs. She played 1.e4 and the Sicilian Defence transpired.

This is her second rapid game that GM Hou Yifan won as well during the playoffs. She played 1.e4 and the Caro-Kann Opening transpired.

* Official website :http://wwcc2010.tsf.org.tr/

* Susan Polgar's blog or click here.

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Ruan Lufei Did The Impossible!

24 December 2010, Kuala Lumpur – Last night chess enthusiasts around the world witnessed how Ruan Lufei playing as white, finally stopped Hou Yifan in her tracks by winning the last game of the final round. The score now stands at 2-2 all!

Tonight the tournament heads to another tie-breaker to decide the winner of the Women’s World Chess Championship 2010 in Turkey. May the best candidate win the crown.

To replay last night’s fourth game between Ruan Lufei and Hou Yifan, please use the game viewer below.

* Official website :http://wwcc2010.tsf.org.tr/

* Susan Polgar's blog or click here.

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Final Round, 4th Game, WWCC2010 Live

23 December 2010, Kuala Lumpur – The final round of the Women’s World Chess Championship 2010 is under way between GM Hou Yifan (2591) of China against WGM Ruan Lufei (2480) of China in the last fourth game. Hou Yifan is currently leading with 2.0-1.0 over Ruan.

Ruan Lufei must win to stay in the finals and head to a playoff or tiebreaker to stand a chance to snatch the Women’s World crown from Hou Yifan. Ruan has slight edge in her game. Ruan is playing white.

To watch live games, please go to Susan Polgar’s blog or click here. Or at the official website, please click here.

* Official website: http://wwcc2010.tsf.org.tr/

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Hou Yifan Wins 2nd Game, WWCC2010

Pix 1. WGM Ruan Lufei (facing camera) making her move in Round 6, 2nd Game vs GM Hou Yifan, Women’s World Chess Championship 2010 (WWCC2010), Turkey. (picture courtesy of wwcc2010.tcf.org.tr.)

22 December 2010, Kuala Lumpur – In the second game of the round 6 of the Women’s World Chess Championship 2010 in Hatay, Turkey, GM Hou Yifan won in an endgame battle between rook and pawn vs rook (white).

As a result, GM Hou Yifan now leads 1.5-0.5 in a four game final round 6 to decide the new Women’s World Chess Champion 2010. According to World Chess Federation rankings, Yifan is No. 3 in the world with 2,591 points; Ruan is rated No. 21 with 2,480 points.

Pix 2. Black played 59…Rb3.

* Official website :http://wwcc2010.tsf.org.tr/

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First Game Drawn, 2nd Game Live, Final WWCC 2010

Pix 1. Start of Round 6, Game 1 – Hou Yifan – Ruan Lufei

(picture courtesy of wwcc2010.tcf.org.tr)

21 December 2010, Kuala Lumpur -  In the first game of the final round 6 of the Women’s World Chess Championship 2010 in Hatay, Turkey, the game between GM Hou Yifan and WGM Ruan Lufei, both of China ended in a fighting draw.

 

Hou Yifan (2591) - Ruan Lufei (2480) [B12]
Women's World Chess Championship 2010, Turkey 
Antakya, Turkey, 20.12.2010

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 dxe4 4.fxe4 e5 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.Bc4 Nd7 7.c3 b5 8.Bd3 Ngf6 9.0–0 Bd6 10.Bg5 0–0 11.Nbd2 h6 12.Bh4 Qc7 13.Qc2 Nh5 14.h3 Be6 15.Rae1 Nf4 16.Bg3 Nxd3 17.Qxd3 Rad8 18.Bf2 a6 19.Nh4 Nb6 20.b3 Rfe8 21.Qf3 b4 22.Rc1 bxc3 23.Qxc3 exd4 24.Bxd4 c5 25.Bxg7 Bf4 26.Nhf3 Rxd2 27.Nxd2 Bxd2 28.Qxd2 Kxg7 29.Qc3+ Kh7 30.Qxc5 Qxc5+ 31.Rxc5 Ra8 32.Ra5 Nc8 33.Rc1 Nd6 34.e5 Nf5 35.Kf2 h5 36.Rc2 Nd4 37.Rd2 Nc6 38.Rc5 Ne7 39.b4 Kg6 40.a3 Kf5 41.Ke3 Rg8 42.Ra5 Rg3+ 43.Kf2 Rb3 44.Rxa6 Nd5 45.Ra5 Ne3 46.Rc5 Nc4 47.Rc2 Nxa3 48.R2c3 Rb2+ 49.Kg3 Nb1 50.Rf3+ Kg5 51.h4+ Kg6 52.Rc7 Kg7 53.Rf6 Kg8 54.Rf4 Rb3+ 55.Kh2 Rb2 56.Rc5 Na3 57.Rc3 Nb5 58.Rg3+ Kf8 59.Rg5 Nc7 60.Rxh5 Nd5 61.Re4 Kg7 62.Rg5+ Kh7 63.Rc4 Rb3 64.Rg3 Rb2 65.Rg5 Rb3 66.Rd4 Nxb4 67.Rg3 Rb2 68.Rc3 Nd5 69.Rcd3 Ne7 70.Rd2 Rb5 71.Re2 Ng6 72.Rde4 Bf5 73.e6 Bxe6 ½–½

 

Replay the first game between Hou Yifan and Ruan Lufei in the finals of the Women’s World Chess Championship 2010 in Turkey using the game viewer below. White had two rooks and two pawns, while black had a rook, a bishop, a knight and one pawn. Draw agreed.

The second game of the final round is still on-going in Turkey.

To view live game, please visit here or at Susan Polgar’s website or click here.

* Official website :http://wwcc2010.tsf.org.tr/

* Susan Polgar's blog or click here.

* fireyrook's blog or click here.
* chess-in-malaysia's blog or click here.

Ruan Lufei Qualifies Into Finals, WWCC 2010

19 December 2010, Kuala Lumpur – WGM Ruan Lufei of China won the second rapid game of the night by winning  against GM Zhao Xue of China 2.5-1.5 in the fifth round of the Women’s World Chess Championship 2010.

The results of the fifth round is shown below:-

Here is the winning second rapid game between Zhao Xue and Ruan Lufei played during the fifth round of the Women’s World Chess Championship 2010 in Hatay, Antakya, Turkey.

* Official website :http://wwcc2010.tsf.org.tr/

* Susan Polgar's blog or click here.

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* chess-in-malaysia's blog or click here.

Ruan Lufei Enters Semis, WWCC 2010

16 December 2010, Kuala Lumpur – At the fourth round playoffs, WGM Ruan Lufei prevailed by winning the first rapid game and drawing the subsequent rapid giving herself a 2.5-1.5 point win over IM Harika Dronavalli.

With this win, the final four semi-finalists has been determined – Ruan Lufei, Koneru Humpy, Hou Yifan and Zhao Xue. Three players from China and one from India – totally Asian Women’s World Chess Championship 2010.

 

The draw for the semi-finals are as shown below:-

Here is the winning tie-breaker rapid game between Harika and Ruan Lufei last night. Black ended with a queen, a knight and two pawns against white’s bishop and three pawns.

* Official website :http://wwcc2010.tsf.org.tr/

* Susan Polgar's blog or click here.

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Hou, Koneru, Zhao Qualify For Semis, WWCC 2010

15 December 2010, Kuala Lumpur – At the Women’s World Chess Championship, three semi-finalists have qualified and all of them are Asians. GM Koneru Humpy of India, GM Hou Yifan of China and GM Zhao Xue of China won their matches with a 1.5-0.5 scores against their respective opponents.

 

(pictures by wwcc2010.tcf.org.tr)

Tonight the only pair going through the tie-breaker grilling are Ruan and Harika to decide the last semi-finalist candidate.

 

Here is the fourth round, 2nd game between Skripchenko (top left) of France against Zhao Xue (top right) of China, which resulted in a decisive win for black. Black had an advanced d pawn at d2, one step away from its queening square. Black is up a bishop piece with white having three backward connected pawns and a rook. However white is about to lose the rook if the pawn queens at d1Q+.

The other three drawn games shown in game viewer format below:-

  

* Official website :http://wwcc2010.tsf.org.tr/

* Susan Polgar's blog or click here.

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Hou, Koneru, Zhao Qualify For Semis, WWCC 2010

15 December 2010, Kuala Lumpur – At the Women’s World Chess Championship, three semi-finalists have qualified and all them are Asians. GM Koneru Humpy of India, GM Hou Yifan of China and GM Zhao Xue of China won their matches with a 1.5-0.5 scores against their respective opponents.

(pictures by wwcc2010.tcf.org.tr)

Tonight the only pair going through the tie-breaker grilling are Ruan and Harika to decide the last semi-finalist candidate.

 

Here is the fourth round, 2nd game between Skripchenko (top left) of France against Zhao Xue (top right) of China, which resulted in a decisive win for black. Black had an advanced d pawn at d2, one step away from its queening square. Black is up a bishop piece with white having three backward connected pawns and a rook. However white is about to lose the rook if the pawn queens at d1Q+.

* Official website :http://wwcc2010.tsf.org.tr/

* Susan Polgar's blog or click here.

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Koneru, Hou Won In 4th Round, WWCC 2010

14 December 2010, Kuala Lumpur – At the Women’s World Chess Championship 2010 in Hatay, Turkey, GM Koneru Humpy of India and GM Hou Yifan of China won decisively in their respective games of round 4-1.

(top pictures courtesy of wwcc2010.tsf.org.tr)

Both Ruan-Harika and Zhao-Skripchenko games ended in draws.

In the fourth round, first game between GM Lahno of Ukraine and GM Hou Yifan of China, white (Lahno) found itself two pawns and a piece down at the end. White’s c pawn queening square is being blocked by black’s bishop on c8. Black has an overwhelming material advantage with four connected pawns.

Here is the game viewer below, the Sicilian [B22] opening transpired during the game.

* Official website : http://wwcc2010.tsf.org.tr/

* Susan Polgar's blog or click here.
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Ruan, 7 Others Advances To Round 4, WWCC 2010

13 December 2010, Kuala Lumpur – At the Women’s World Chess Championship 2010, dramatic scenes as Kosteniuk takes a bow, losing to Ruan Lufei of China in yesterday’s round 3 playoffs. With this result, WWCC will see a new Women’s World Champion this year.

The final eight that will advance to round 4 are Ruan Lufei, Koneru Humpy, Hou Yifan, Zhao Xue, Skripchenko Almira, Lahno Kateryna, Ju Wenjun and Harika Dronavalli.

Their nationalities are 4 from China, 2 India, 1 France and 1 Ukraine.

The Chess Bomb results from Susan Polgar’s website shown below:- 

Here is a copy of the blitz game between Harika and Muzychuk in the third round playoffs after two rapids, two blitzs ended with a drawn position for both players. Harika won the toss and chose to play black in this sudden death blitz where white has 5 minutes of play but must win and black has four minutes. Watch how the game ended where Muzychuk was in a winning position but lost on time.

 

* Official website :http://wwcc2010.tsf.org.tr/

* Susan Polgar's blog or click here.

* fireyrook's blog or click here.
* chess-in-malaysia's blog or click here.

* top photo by wwcc2010.tsf.org.tr.

Ruan, Harika Wins First Rapid Playoffs, WWCC2010

12 December 2010, Kuala Lumpur – At the Women’s World Chess Championship in Turkey, the defending champion, GM Kosteniuk just lost the first rapid game to WGM Ruan Lufei of China.

During the round 3 playoffs of the first game saw two decisive wins and two drawn games as shown below.

 

Watch the following game viewer as to how WGM Ruan Lufei won her rapid game against GM Kosteniuk. Ruan had white’s king pinned to the back rank with three pieces on the second rank. If white played 55. Bg6+, then black can take the bishop at g6 and win the game with material advantage. If white plays 55.Bd3, then 55… Ne3# mate.

The second rapid is still ongoing. To watch, please visit Susan Polgar’s blog or click here. Or the official website, please click here.

 

* Official website :http://wwcc2010.tsf.org.tr/

* Susan Polgar's blog or click here.

* fireyrook's blog or click here.
* chess-in-malaysia's blog or click here.

4 Pairs Head To Round 3 Playoffs, WWCC 2010

12 December 2010, Kuala Lumpur – In the third round, second game, four women progress to round 4 with definite scores of 1.5-0.5 while four pairs head to round 3 playoffs today after scoring 1-1 all.

Among the winning ladies include GM Koneru Humpy of India (pix below), GM Zhao Xue of China, GM Lahno Kateryna of Ukraine and WGM Ju Wenjun of China.

The remaining four pairs will fight it out in two rapid games and if still even to two blitz games and if still even, to head to a sudden death blitz game.

 

 

 

The four pairs that will play today incluede Kosteniuk-Ruan, Hou – Zhu, Cmilyte – Skripchenko, and Harika – Muzychuk.

The results of the round 3 after game 2 of the Women’s World Chess Championship 2010 in Hatay, Turkey is shown in the table below.

 

There were seven draws during the third round, second game at the Women’s World Chess Championship 2010 in Turkey except for one game. The game between Zhu Chen (pix top right) of Qatar and Hou Yifan (pix top left) of China ended in a definitive score for Zhu Chen who was struggling to remain in the tournament.

To watch the game between Zhu Chen – Hou Yifan, please see the game viewer below. White has a queen, a rook and five pawns against black’s two rooks, a bishop and four pawns.

* Official website : http://wwcc2010.tsf.org.tr/

* Susan Polgar's blog or click here.

* fireyrook's blog or click here.
* chess-in-malaysia's blog or click here.

5 Decisive, 3 Drawn, WWCC 2010

11 December 2010, Kuala Lumpur – Here are the round 3 results, 1st game of the Women’s World Chess Championship 2010, Turkey where there were five decisive and three drawn games as shown in the table below:-

 

 

 

The first game wins of round 3 went to GM Hou Yifan (pix top), GM Lahno Kateryna, GM Zhao Xue, WGM Ju Wenjun and GM Koneru Humpy.

Here is the winning game from GM Koneru Humpy of INDIA against American IM Anna Zatonskih during the 3rd round, 1st game of the knock-out event of the Women’s World Chess Championship 2010 in Turkey.

 

 
Black has just played 45…Qc4. The bishop at f1 is pinned by the black Queen at c4 and rook at e1. Black’s next move 46…Qxf1# and white has no defence to that. Koneru wins 1-0!

 

 

 

 

Here is the winning game from GM Hou Yifan of China against GM Zhu Chen of Qatar in the 3rd Round, 1st Game in the Women’s World Chess Championship 2010 Hatay, Antakya, Turkey.

 

 

* Official website: http://wwcc2010.tsf.org.tr/

* Susan Polgar's blog or click here.

* fireyrook's blog or click here.
* chess-in-malaysia's blog or click here.