Monday, October 21, 2013

The Take Back

Ushenina declined an interview request but Khalifman made himself available to talk immediately after lunch. I had read Khalifman’s comments on a Russian bulletin board and was prepared with the hard questions — this would be Frost/Nixon Mark II, blowing open the true reasons behind 侯 (Hóu)’s comprehensive victory over Ushenina.
Khalifman seemed more than ready to spill the beans as we sat down, but then he started...
“侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) played very well in this match; she was very well prepared. In general the score speaks for itself, a very convincing victory for 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) though in complicated strategical positions where there are no direct tactics, Anna is not worse. Opening preparation wasn’t the point, the match was decided in general play”. [Read more].

Anna Yuriyivna Ushenina in 泰州 (Tàizhōu), China. Photo courtesy of the United States Chess Federation.

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