Uncanny Valley

The six-team knockout “青岛城阳总决赛” (“Qīngdǎo Chéngyáng Finals”) of the 2nd “机器人谷杯” (“Robot Valley Cup”) China City Chess League kicked off today (Monday, January 29, 2024) at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in 城阳区 (Chéngyáng District), 青岛 (Qīngdǎo), 山东省 (Shāndōng province), China. The teams participating are: 济南银丰队 (Jǐnán Yínfēng), 杭州银行队 (Hángzhōu Bank), 青岛城阳队 (Qīngdǎo Chéngyáng), 苏州棋协队 (Sūzhōu Chess Association), 中化学生态环境西安队 (CNCEC Ecological Environment Xī’ān), and 网易海口队 (NetEase Hǎikǒu), featuring stars such as four-time Women’s World Chess Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) (pictured above and below), 卜祥志 (Bǔ Xiángzhì), 徐俊 (Xú Jùn), 马群 (Mǎ Qún), 翟墨 (Zhái Mò), 郭琦 (Guō Qí), 刘庆南 (Liú Qìngnán). Time control is 30 minutes plus 15 seconds per move. Photos: 璐璐 (Lùlù).