颠倒乾坤 (Trading Places)

The 2nd “一带一路” (“One Belt One Road”) Women’s World Chess Summit has been announced to take place in 西安 (Xī’ān), 陕西省 (Shǎnxī province), China from December 4–6, 2020. The superstar attraction is, once again, four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán), but the “list of guests invited” include, among others, and in alphabetical order: Zhansaya Daniyarovna Abdumalik, Ekaterina Atalik, Nana Dzagnidze, Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, 雷挺婕 (Léi Tǐngjié), 15th Women’s World Chess Champion Mariya Olehivna Muzychuk, 10th Women’s World Chess Champion Antoaneta Stefanova, 16th Women’s World Chess Champion 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí), and 赵雪 (Zhào Xuě). The format is an experimental mixed reality mode, with the Chinese participants seated offline in 西安 (Xī’ān) and all others outside being brought in by the Internet (via chess.com), thus making the show available to both physical and online audiences.

Prune Nourry, Terracotta Daughters, Solo show, Crossing The Line Festival (FIAF) & China Institute, New York City, United States September 2014. Courtesy of the artist.