Not Flying Alone

Chinese Chess Association’s Delegate & Vice General Secretary 田红卫 (Tián Hóngwèi) wanted to personally welcome the returning Women’s World Chess Champion’s crew at 北京 (Běijīng) Capital International Airport on March 5, 2017. Mrs. 田红卫 (Tián Hóngwèi) expressed great satisfaction with the victory of 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí), who is the fifth Chinese woman to have become World Champion, after 谢军 (Xiè Jūn), 诸宸 (Zhū Chén), 许昱华 (Xǔ Yùhuá), and 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán). There is reason for further satisfaction in the fact that next year it should be held the Women’s World Chess Championship match between 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) and the Women’s Grand Prix 2015–2016’s winner 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn), with the certainty, therefore, that the world title will remain in China. Since the “quantity” race is won, suddenly there is no longer any gender equality claim as regards the Women’s World Chess Championship format issue. Yes, I know, rhetoric is rhetoric, and no one should upset the world-winning community with idle questions, but, indeed, the question arises spontaneous and inevitable: what ever happened to 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán)? Pictured from left are 余少腾 (Yú Shǎoténg), 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí), 田红卫 (Tián Hóngwèi), and the translator 李开敏 (Li Kāimǐn). Photo: sports.sina.com.cn