A Woman in a Man’s World

On Saturday, December 19, 2020 the “体育彩票杯” (“Sports Lottery Cup”) 51st Chinese Open Chess Championship and 44th Chinese Women’s Chess Championship kicked off in 兴化 (Xīnghuà), 江苏省 (Jiāngsū province), China. 17th Women’s World Chess Champion 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) plays among men, in the wake of her fellow countrywoman 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán), a four-time Woman’s World Chess Champion and a Rhodes Scholar, who this year, however, could only attend the opening ceremony as a special guest star due to her University commitments. Speaking in her role of Tourism Ambassador for her birth city of 兴化 (Xīnghuà), 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) publicly thanked the city authorities for their long-standing support of chess, which was repaid by many women stars in recent years, she herself being the brightest one: “I hope that in the times to come 兴化 (Xīnghuà) will be able to give the world more outstanding male players”, she said. After the opening ceremony, 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) offered a 24-board simultaneous exhibition to the pupils of the 兴化 (Xīnghuà) Chess School. Photos: Chinese Chess Association.