Time and Times

It was such a friendly contest that, in the end, there was a winner without someone to lose. And thus the 2021 深圳 (Shēnzhèn) “迎新贺岁杯” (“Welcome New Year Cup”) Doubles Match for Young and Younger Stars ended in a major victory of 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) & 刘适兰 (Liú Shìlán) and a minor victory for 安艳凤 (Ān Yànfèng) & 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán). “Young and lesser young chess stars get together for the New Year. This is a remarkable novelty, because usually such doubles matches are for mixed pairs and not for women only. It was a meeting of generations and perspectives: 刘适兰 (Liú Shìlán) and my teammate 安艳凤 (Ān Yànfèng) were for years among the best players of China, till being able to win fourth place in the 27th Women’s Chess Olympiad. I and 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn), as representatives of the younger generation, are continuing in their footsteps. I felt honoured to have been a part of this”, four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) finally said. Photos: Sina Sports.