Things Money Can’t Buy

It’s less than a few days before the start of the 12-game Women’s World Chess Championship match between 17th Women’s World Champion 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) and her challenger Aleksandra Yuryevna Goryachkina which will be hosted by both China and Russia — the birth countries of both women. The first half will take place at 上海市棋牌运动管理中心 (Shànghǎi Board and Card Games Administrative Centre) in 上海 (Shànghǎi), China from January 4–12, 2020; the second half at the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) in the Russky Island area of Vladivostok, Primorsky Krai, Russia from January 15–25, 2020. The opening ceremony will be held Saturday, January 4, 2020 at the 上海静安洲际酒店 (InterContinental Shànghǎi Jìng’Ān Hotel). The Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) offered the unusually high prize fund of €500,000 €uros, of which 60% goes to the winner (55% in case of tie-break). However, since money alone can’t buy legitimacy, much will depend upon whether the crowning of one, rather than the other, will be perceived by the public as a fair deal with respect to the abdication — whether forced or voluntary — of the No. 1 woman player in the world, namely 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán). In spite of many discouraging signs, hope is always hopeful.