The September Queen

After nearly three years of negotiations, the 中国棋院杭州分院 (Hángzhōu Branch of China Qí-Yuàn) finally recruited four-time Women’s World Chess Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) into their forces, which already relied on China’s number one, 丁立人 (Dīng Lìrén). Nonetheless, the “marriage” acquires a particular meaning in view of the 19th Asian Games, scheduled to be held in 杭州 (Hángzhōu), 浙江省 (Zhèjiāng province), China on September 10–25, 2022, where chess, after a lapse of 12 years, will again be one of the featured disciplines. Interviewed by phone, 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán), who kindly made time in her busy schedule as a teacher at 深圳大学 (Shēnzhèn University), expressed her satisfaction, accompanied by the hope of being able to do well in her new home: “There are still many uncertain factors. For example, the scheduled women’s qualifiers have been postponed due to changes in the epidemic prevention and control policy, but I personally have great expectations as to my successful participation in the Asian Games”, she said.