Olive Oyl

倪诗群 (Ní Shīqún), born in 上海 (Shànghǎi), China on February 26, 1997 is indeed the only “outsider” who reached the quarterfinals in the Knockout Women’s World Chess Championship Tournament ongoing in Tehran, Iran. Now she will have to face former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Konstantinovna Kosteniuk, and it will not be an easy fight. But she’s not too worried about it, being already quite happy of how she progressed so far. She told sports.sina.com.cn that she came to Iran with more than some apprehension. “I was feeling insecure”, she said. But then, once in Tehran, she enjoyed a completely different experience, finding the country quiet and beautiful, and the people kind and friendly. So she relaxed very soon. On her climb to the top of the Queendom, she has to avoid just one obstacle. “I just cannot adapt to the Iranian diet”, she said. Like most Chinese people, her stomach tolerates only Chinese food. But she had not come unprepared. “I have my secret weapon”, she smilingly said. She brought with herself a sufficient supply of food, that she bought before she left to Tehran. Rice, noodles, and porridge. And then, like Popeye, she unexpectedly enjoyed how good the supermarkets in Tehran are at selling spinachs. And since she can cook in her hotel room her “every day” rice noodles with mushrooms and spinachs, no wonder no one won’t be able to stop 倪诗群 (Ní Shīqún)’s bid for Crown.

倪诗群 (Ní Shīqún)’s spinachs
Photo: sports.sina.com.cn

倪诗群 (Ní Shīqún)’s grocery shopping in Tehran’s supermarkets
Photo: sports.sina.com.cn