Life Along the Silk Road

The 1st Silk Road Women’s International Rapid & Blitz Tournament was held in 韩城 (Hánchéng), 陕西省 (Shǎnxī province), China from 17 to 21 July 2016, with the participation of four-time Women’s World Chess Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán), former Women’s World Chess Champions Antoaneta Stefanova, Anna Yuriyivna Ushenina, and Mariya Olehivna Muzychuk, and, last but not least, “not yet” Women’s World Chess Champions Humpy Koneru and Valentina Evgenyevna Gunina. In spite of some announcements a bit too fanciful, the event was mainly a joyful feast, enriched with various side initiatives aimed to promote and launch 国际象棋 (international chess) in the 陕西省 (Shǎnxī province). In the end, there has been glory enough for everyone: Valentina Evgenyevna Gunina won the Rapid Event, Anna Yuriyivna Ushenina won the Blitz Event, and 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) won the combined standings. As they say, “if they are roses, they will bloom; if they are thorns, they will prick you”.

They’re old acquaintances: 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) and Anna Yuriyivna Ushenina. Photo: sohu.com

侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) – Mariya Olehivna Muzychuk

1st Silk Road Women’s International Rapid & Blitz Tournament (25+10); 韩城 (Hánchéng), July 20, 2016

Bishop’s Opening C24

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 c6 4. Nf3 d5 5. Bb3 Bd6 6. exd5 cxd5 7. 0-0 0-0 8. Bg5 e4 9. dxe4 dxe4 10. Nfd2 Bf5 11. Nc3 Be5 12. Nc4 Bxc3 13. bxc3 Nbd7 14. Ne3 Bg6. 14. ... Be6(!) seems to be safer and sounder. 15. Nd5 Rc8. Muzychuk’s idea to sacrifice a Pawn for freeing herself might not be so wrong as it looks, but I guess 15. ... h6(!) 16. Bh4 Qa5 was a more “economic” way of thinking about the future. 16. Qd4! Qe8 17. Bxf6 Nxf6 18. Nxf6+ gxf6 19. Qxf6 Qd8 (19. ... Qc6!?) 20. Qd4 Qa5 21. Rae1 Rxc3. Black has finally won back her Pawn, but, positionally speaking, paid it a bit too much. 22. Re3! Rcc8? After 22. ... Rxe3 23. fxe3 White stands much better, but 22. ... Rc7 23. Rg3 Rfe8 looks like a little better version of the actual game. 23. Rg3 Rfe8? Black moves the wrong Rook. If, however, 23. ... Rce8 then 24. Bd5(!) with a powerful advantage.

24. Qd7! Threatening 25. Qxf7+ Kh8 26. Qf6 mate. 24. ... Kh8 25. Bxf7 Red8 26. Qe7 Rc6 27. Be6 1 : 0.

侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán). Photo: sports.sina.com.cn.