The style of a World Champion: 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) walks the red carpet into the 龙岗 (Lónggǎng) stage
深圳鹏城 (Shēnzhèn Péngchéng) Chess Club, August 17, 2020
Chess is a kaleidoscope of culture, science, art, and competitiveness. It does not only develop intelligence and forges perseverance, but also cultivates the mind, feeds sentiments, helps physical and mental health, enriches leisure, and is profoundly respected by the general public. Chess is a cultural treasure of China, with its long history dating back to thousands of years. Chess not only develops children’s intelligence, but most importantly, it can also keep them away from cell phones and video games, thereby facilitating learning and healthy growth.
The election of 龙岗区 (Lónggǎng District) as a training base for the Chinese national chess team aims at making 深圳 (Shēnzhèn) a capital of chess in China. Chess has been well promoted as a mind game, and it is becoming more and more popular. Young people love it.
深圳鹏城 (Shēnzhèn Péngchéng) Chess Club, August 17, 2020
Chess is a kaleidoscope of culture, science, art, and competitiveness. It does not only develop intelligence and forges perseverance, but also cultivates the mind, feeds sentiments, helps physical and mental health, enriches leisure, and is profoundly respected by the general public. Chess is a cultural treasure of China, with its long history dating back to thousands of years. Chess not only develops children’s intelligence, but most importantly, it can also keep them away from cell phones and video games, thereby facilitating learning and healthy growth.
The election of 龙岗区 (Lónggǎng District) as a training base for the Chinese national chess team aims at making 深圳 (Shēnzhèn) a capital of chess in China. Chess has been well promoted as a mind game, and it is becoming more and more popular. Young people love it.
When rumours started spreading that Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) would come for a second time in 龙岗区 (Lónggǎng District) just this weekend, there was a buzz of excitement among her fans. It was an unmissable opportunity to personally meet the Queen and enjoy the class by four-time Women’s World Chess Champion, Rhodes Scholar and Professor 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán). How can such a date be missed? However, because the pandemic is not over yet, the number of people must be limited. Who yes and who no? How can admirers and fans be discouraged from gathering? According to Ms. 刘 (Liú), Secretary-General of 龙岗区 (Lónggǎng District) Chess Association, the organisers were particularly helpful. Workshops and lectures would be held in multiple locations in 龙岗区 (Lónggǎng District), such as the Academic Lecture Hall on the first floor of 龙岗区 (Lónggǎng District) Cultural Centre Library, and 深圳书城 (Shēnzhèn Book City).
The lecture of August 15 was mostly devoted to endgames and checkmates. Professor 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) showed and explained her sketches with competence and simplicity. She particularly emphasized that chess is not only to kill the King. Checkmate is the apotheosis of a much complex pattern of moves, where calculation and imagination coexist. Is it a win or a draw? Who’s better? Strategic flexibility is often the key to get goals achieved.
Unlike when she spoke here more than a year ago, this time Professor 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) shared more of her secrets with her audience.
Unlike when she spoke here more than a year ago, this time Professor 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) shared more of her secrets with her audience.
Speaking softly, in the Q&A session of her August 16 lecture, she summed up her years-long experience amidst strategy and tactics in six “magic recipes”.
“Chess may also serve to cultivate children’s reverse thinking ability”, 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) said, as basically the ultimate goal of a chess game is to checkmate the enemy King, which can be generally done by tactical means — that, however, spring from careful, deeply meditated plans. From a strategic point of view, 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) focused on three key priorities: “gaining mastery by striking only after the enemy has struck”, “turning the weak into the strong”, and “making deadlock-free planning decisions”.
“Imperfection is also a kind of perfection”, 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) said, based on her own experience.
“When I played professionally, I used to be a perfectionist. But then I discovered that the pursuit of perfection made me spend too much time in the first half of the game. Time is too late”.
“Chess may also serve to cultivate children’s reverse thinking ability”, 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) said, as basically the ultimate goal of a chess game is to checkmate the enemy King, which can be generally done by tactical means — that, however, spring from careful, deeply meditated plans. From a strategic point of view, 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) focused on three key priorities: “gaining mastery by striking only after the enemy has struck”, “turning the weak into the strong”, and “making deadlock-free planning decisions”.
“Imperfection is also a kind of perfection”, 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) said, based on her own experience.
“When I played professionally, I used to be a perfectionist. But then I discovered that the pursuit of perfection made me spend too much time in the first half of the game. Time is too late”.
In Professor 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán)’s view, “There’s no best move, but only most suitable moves”. Thus players should make the most suitable moves within a limited time, based on the situation of the board and the characteristics of their opponents.
As for tactics, 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) identified three key points, namely “play the board, not the opponent”, “prophylactic thinking” and “dynamic evaluation”, as an analytical mode to grasp the fleeting moments of a game.
“When we play chess, we do our best to keep everything else off the board, including our opponent’s behaviour, and we do it with objectivity and concentration”. 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) recalled how in a previous game with the World Chess Champion Carlsen of Norway, in awe of her opponent’s strength, at the critical juncture she had felt not confident enough to play her most ambitious move. Unfortunately, her advantage disappeared and she had to content herself with a draw.
“Stay focused on your game, as only what happens on the board is real”.
As for tactics, 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) identified three key points, namely “play the board, not the opponent”, “prophylactic thinking” and “dynamic evaluation”, as an analytical mode to grasp the fleeting moments of a game.
“When we play chess, we do our best to keep everything else off the board, including our opponent’s behaviour, and we do it with objectivity and concentration”. 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) recalled how in a previous game with the World Chess Champion Carlsen of Norway, in awe of her opponent’s strength, at the critical juncture she had felt not confident enough to play her most ambitious move. Unfortunately, her advantage disappeared and she had to content herself with a draw.
“Stay focused on your game, as only what happens on the board is real”.
侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) also believes that players should rely on prophylactic thinking, empathy, as well as on understanding their opponents’ strategy in order to prevent problems before they happen. At the same time, the dynamic assessment of the “Pawn promotion” and the vision of the bigger picture may enable one to seize the day with miraculous effect.
In the Q&A afternoon session, the young students asked questions such as: “Why are there no princesses and no princes in chess? Why are there cannons in Chinese chess, but not in chess?”, and so on. Professor 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) patiently answered every one in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
In the Q&A afternoon session, the young students asked questions such as: “Why are there no princesses and no princes in chess? Why are there cannons in Chinese chess, but not in chess?”, and so on. Professor 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) patiently answered every one in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
What is most noteworthy is that, when her young admirers asked for a picture with her, she does not hesitate to squat down and pose with them for photos. Such a heart touching scene! Parents are in ecstasy as they take pictures of her with their sons: “Professor 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) is always so friendly and patient. Hers is the style of a World Champion!”.
The symposiums were organised by 龙岗区 (Lónggǎng District) Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, and 龙岗区 (Lónggǎng District) Chess Association in collaboration with 深圳鹏城 (Shēnzhèn Péngchéng) Chess Club and 深圳书城 (Shēnzhèn Book City). Text and pictures were provided by 深圳鹏城 (Shēnzhèn Péngchéng) Chess Club, some of which are taken from online reports.
The symposiums were organised by 龙岗区 (Lónggǎng District) Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, and 龙岗区 (Lónggǎng District) Chess Association in collaboration with 深圳鹏城 (Shēnzhèn Péngchéng) Chess Club and 深圳书城 (Shēnzhèn Book City). Text and pictures were provided by 深圳鹏城 (Shēnzhèn Péngchéng) Chess Club, some of which are taken from online reports.
(English translation by I, Robot)
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