課後 (After School)

Pro Counter-Strike player and FIDE chess Master Garidmagnai “bLitz” Byambasuren takes lessons and advice from four-time Women’s World Chess Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán), in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, May 31, 2026. Photo: The MongolZ.

Queen of Gobi Desert

Four-time Women’s World Chess Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) and President of Mongolian Chess Federation Gombojavyn Zandanshatar as guests at the livestream of 21st Asian Chess Championship which is currently underway in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from May 28 to June 7, 2026.

Sketches of Sunday

Trees and fairies in Piazza della Costituzione at San Donnino, Campi Bisenzio, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy.

Lifestyles

Lost & Found

Il balen del suo sorriso d’una stella vince il raggio! Il fulgor del suo bel viso nuovo infonde a me coraggio! The flash of her smile outdoes the beam from a star! The brightness of her beautiful face inspires me with fresh daring! 她的微笑光辉照耀 胜过星辰的光芒！ 她的美貌散发的光芒 赋予了我新的勇气！ Il trovatore (II, 3)

Imaginary Conversations

Friend zone

Jammin’

Round the Moon

Leone, Niccolò, and Riccardo play chess at Associazione Culturale “Il Delta della Luna” almost every Saturday afternoon.

A Train to Catch

When the Associazione Culturale “Il Delta della Luna” students miss a chess class it is usually because they are otherwise engaged in important duties, and indeed they always have a very confiderable justification for their absences. The picture on the side, taken at sunset of Saturday, May 9, 2026, was of Niccolò (standing, in red shirt), Riccardo (seated, in blue shirt), and their teammates of the Liceo scientifico statale Antonio Gramsci waiting for the train home at Cesenatico station, on their way back from the 30th Olympiads of Mathematics National Finals, where they reached the semifinals.
They said they are quite content with what they got, which might have been even greater if they had only been just a little more lucky. But more importantly they will keep in their heart forever their Olympic adventure and the youthful feeling of causeless joy and pride in “passing through the crowd with the crowd that was passing through”. Photo courtesy of Niccolò.

Chinese Shadows

Four-time Women’s World Chess Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) is announced on stage at 4th FIDE World Rapid Team Championship and 3rd FIDE World Blitz Team Championship in 香港 (Hong Kong), China, from June 17–21, 2026. Photocollage: FIDE.

Yet, Edna, everyone who is not a villain in such a holy community is a hero

Artwork © Jose-Ramiro

Through the Kaleidoscope

Just time for a coffee at service area Titignano Nord on the freeway Florence-Pisa-Livorno. Maria’s orchids are as wonderful as in a botanic garden with the sun shining on it.

Mindworlds

That’s the key, Edna; three tiramisus a day keep hunger away!

Courtesy of TurnIntoAI

Queen’s breakfast

One Day with 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) in 香港 (Hong Kong)

Oh yes, Edna, they never admit ignorance as an inspiration for their pedantry

Artwork © Imagination Color Lab LLC (@imagination_color_lab)

Meanings of Life

• Nicole, “Chinese Chess Queen 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán): Splendour and Majesty on the Board”, Sportsoho, May 12, 2026

“I’ve always felt that chess is my passion, but not all my life. First and foremost, I am a person, and then a chess player. No matter what I get or don’t get — higher education is essential in life”, 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) said.

All the Water on Earth

After all, Edna, no one is perfect, and to say it with Dylan, “You can’t be wise and in love at the same time”

Artwork © grim1978

A Queen on Stage

Saturdays in May

While ⅔ of the Associazione Culturale “Il Delta della Luna” chess students were in Cesenatico, Italy, to defend the colours of the Liceo scientifico statale Antonio Gramsci in the 30th edition of the Olympiads of Mathematics National Finals, Leone, a young prodigy violinist who astonished audiences everywhere by his wonderful playing, seemed glad that he did not miss his class today.

X – Y
Florence, May 9, 2026
r2q1k1r/ppp3p1/5b1p/3N3B/4P3/4B3/PPP3PP/R4QK1 b - - 0 16

Position after 16. ... c7-c6

In the position of diagram, White intended 17. Bc5+ Kg8 18. Nf4, which would undoubtedly win the day, but Leone was as proud as happy to “spot” a most delightful finish:
17. Bc5+ Kg8 18. Ne7+! 1–0. Black must choose between losing his Queen (18. ... Qxe7 19. Bxe7) or getting mated or both: 18. ... Kf8 (18. ... Bxe7 19. Qf7+ Kh7 20. Bg6#) 19. Qc4! g6 20. Qe6! with mate in a few moves to follow.

Love Is in the Air

Chungking Express