Artwork © Personajes AI (@alexitogonzalezai)
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Happy Non-Birthday!
At the non-birthday party of Viola, a fantasy of pizzas was set out in the dining room of the Associazione Culturale “Il Delta della Luna” yesterday evening, with Letizia’s dietetic cold cheesecake to crown the setting. As by now usual, the party was graced by the special presence of Aurora and Matilde, who enjoyed the gifts Mado Flynn offered them without any guess of what was in it. More photos will follow hopefully soon! |
Monday, July 28, 2025
Sunday, July 27, 2025
A Temporary Future
雷挺婕 (Léi Tǐngjié) – 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí)
3rd Women’s Chess World Cup; Final for Third Place; match game 2; Batumi, July 27, 2025
8/6k1/8/p2N3K/P1P4P/1r6/8/8 b - - 2 55
Position after 55. Nb6-d5
From a formal viewpoint, White has what is demanded for compensating for the Exchange, but instead, as 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) demonstrates with her elegant solution, there is no way for 雷挺婕 (Léi Tǐngjié) to maintain neither dynamic equivalence nor material countervalue.
55. ... Rb4! 0–1. For after 56. Nxb4 axb4 both sides queen, but the Black Queen will checkmate first at f5 or g6, depending on which White Pawn promotes.
55. ... Rb4! 0–1. For after 56. Nxb4 axb4 both sides queen, but the Black Queen will checkmate first at f5 or g6, depending on which White Pawn promotes.
In the Chinese derby, 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) got the better of it against 雷挺婕 (Léi Tǐngjié). Photo: Anna Shtourman/FIDE. |
Friday, July 25, 2025
Thursday, July 24, 2025
One, No One and One Hundred Thousand
On identity
Giorgio Agamben, Quodlibet, July 24, 2025
Kojève once expressed, in the form of a warning, a critique of identity that is worth reflecting upon: “Be what you can never become”. The mistake of those who seek an identity is to want to become what they already are. What we simply are is not an identity, but a source experience always ongoing, that continually slips through our fingers, and that’s why we can never become. And yet, the society we live in does nothing but ascribe to us an identity that, with more or less conviction, we end up assuming. This identity — we know it perfectly after all — is necessarily fake and anyone who truly wants to become who they are is at risk — as happened to Nietzsche and, albeit less obviously, to almost everyone — to fall into madness. Wise, i.e. without identity, is the one who always is without ever becoming: but this is just what the so-called civilised societies now regard as alien and reject to the margins, while they purely and simply try to eliminate it.
Giorgio Agamben, Quodlibet, July 24, 2025
Kojève once expressed, in the form of a warning, a critique of identity that is worth reflecting upon: “Be what you can never become”. The mistake of those who seek an identity is to want to become what they already are. What we simply are is not an identity, but a source experience always ongoing, that continually slips through our fingers, and that’s why we can never become. And yet, the society we live in does nothing but ascribe to us an identity that, with more or less conviction, we end up assuming. This identity — we know it perfectly after all — is necessarily fake and anyone who truly wants to become who they are is at risk — as happened to Nietzsche and, albeit less obviously, to almost everyone — to fall into madness. Wise, i.e. without identity, is the one who always is without ever becoming: but this is just what the so-called civilised societies now regard as alien and reject to the margins, while they purely and simply try to eliminate it.
(English translation by I, Robot)
张向明 (Zhāng Xiàngmíng), Woman and Elephant, 2013. Courtesy of Artsy. |
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Monday, July 21, 2025
Sunday, July 20, 2025
Olympia
Interview with 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) after the conclusion of the Paris City Chess Championship
Nadir Bounzou, Ligue d’Île-de-France des Échecs, Sunday, July 20, 2025
Exclusive interview with 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) after the conclusion of the Paris City Chess Championship.
After the conclusion of the Paris City Chess Championship, we had the pleasure of speaking with 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán), International Grandmaster, former Women’s World Champion, and a key figure in the chess world. She discusses her tournament, her impressions of the Parisian chess scene, and her upcoming projects.
Tournament performance & experience
— You faced some tough opposition here. How would you rate your play during the Paris City Chess Championship? Is there a particular game that stood out for you?
— The competition was indeed tough, which was reflected in my performance. Many opponents, especially talented young players, showed great potential. Overall, my play revealed a certain lack of practice in classical chess, and the turning point of the tournament for me came in the fifth round against Dudin. He played very well throughout the event, and I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate him on his well-deserved victory.
— What were your expectations going into the tournament, and did the competition go as you anticipated?
— My main goal was simply to enjoy the tournament: spend the summer in Paris, combine it with other personal and professional commitments, and get back into the swing of classical chess.
— Can you describe a critical moment or turning point in one of your games that you feel had a significant impact on your final ranking?
— As I mentioned, the key moment occurred in the fifth round. There were several decisive moments in that game, which required a lot of precision and composure. It was particularly important because it was played on the second day in double round-robin format, which put my physical endurance to the test. This is something I’m still adjusting to, as most of the tournaments I’ve played recently have followed a one-game-per-day schedule, often with rest days.
Nadir Bounzou, Ligue d’Île-de-France des Échecs, Sunday, July 20, 2025
Exclusive interview with 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) after the conclusion of the Paris City Chess Championship.
After the conclusion of the Paris City Chess Championship, we had the pleasure of speaking with 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán), International Grandmaster, former Women’s World Champion, and a key figure in the chess world. She discusses her tournament, her impressions of the Parisian chess scene, and her upcoming projects.
Tournament performance & experience
— You faced some tough opposition here. How would you rate your play during the Paris City Chess Championship? Is there a particular game that stood out for you?
— The competition was indeed tough, which was reflected in my performance. Many opponents, especially talented young players, showed great potential. Overall, my play revealed a certain lack of practice in classical chess, and the turning point of the tournament for me came in the fifth round against Dudin. He played very well throughout the event, and I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate him on his well-deserved victory.
— What were your expectations going into the tournament, and did the competition go as you anticipated?
— My main goal was simply to enjoy the tournament: spend the summer in Paris, combine it with other personal and professional commitments, and get back into the swing of classical chess.
— Can you describe a critical moment or turning point in one of your games that you feel had a significant impact on your final ranking?
— As I mentioned, the key moment occurred in the fifth round. There were several decisive moments in that game, which required a lot of precision and composure. It was particularly important because it was played on the second day in double round-robin format, which put my physical endurance to the test. This is something I’m still adjusting to, as most of the tournaments I’ve played recently have followed a one-game-per-day schedule, often with rest days.
On the tournament and her opponents
— How did you find the level of competition at the Paris City Chess Championship this year? Were there any newcomers or lesser-known players who impressed you?
— The level was excellent, with a good mix of consummate players and young talents. I was particularly impressed by several young players, particularly those from France and India, as I experienced in my own games. Their creativity and preparation are a testimony to the present richness of the chess world. It’s always inspiring to see the new generation pushing the boundaries of the game.
— How does this tournament compare to other competitions you’ve participated in, in terms of organisation, atmosphere, and difficulty?
— The Paris City Chess Championship stands out for its unique blend of tradition and modernity. The organisers were able to create an environment that was both professional and welcoming, which made the experience very enjoyable. Compared to other tournaments, the emphasis placed here on developing a true chess community, alongside high-level competition, is remarkable. It’s this balance that makes the event so memorable.
— How did you find the level of competition at the Paris City Chess Championship this year? Were there any newcomers or lesser-known players who impressed you?
— The level was excellent, with a good mix of consummate players and young talents. I was particularly impressed by several young players, particularly those from France and India, as I experienced in my own games. Their creativity and preparation are a testimony to the present richness of the chess world. It’s always inspiring to see the new generation pushing the boundaries of the game.
— How does this tournament compare to other competitions you’ve participated in, in terms of organisation, atmosphere, and difficulty?
— The Paris City Chess Championship stands out for its unique blend of tradition and modernity. The organisers were able to create an environment that was both professional and welcoming, which made the experience very enjoyable. Compared to other tournaments, the emphasis placed here on developing a true chess community, alongside high-level competition, is remarkable. It’s this balance that makes the event so memorable.
Personal reflections
— After a busy career combining chess and university teaching, what still motivates you to participate in competitions at this level?
— For me, chess is much more than just a game: it’s a way of thinking, a discipline, and a form of personal expression. Balancing my academic career with chess has given me a unique perspective, where each enriches the other. What motivates me is the infinite potential for growth in chess. Every tournament, every game, brings new challenges, new ideas, and opportunities to learn.
— How do you prepare mentally and strategically for a tournament like the Paris City Chess Championship, given your extensive experience? Will you return to Paris to seek revenge?
— I haven’t done any specific preparation for this tournament, which is often the case for the events I’ve recently participated in. The last time I prepared intensively was for the 19th Asian Games, where I represented my country — a completely different responsibility. As for Paris, I really loved the experience and would be completely open to returning. The city has a very vibrant chess atmosphere, and if the organisers invite me back in the future, it would be a pleasure to return, whether to play or participate in other ways.
— After a busy career combining chess and university teaching, what still motivates you to participate in competitions at this level?
— For me, chess is much more than just a game: it’s a way of thinking, a discipline, and a form of personal expression. Balancing my academic career with chess has given me a unique perspective, where each enriches the other. What motivates me is the infinite potential for growth in chess. Every tournament, every game, brings new challenges, new ideas, and opportunities to learn.
— How do you prepare mentally and strategically for a tournament like the Paris City Chess Championship, given your extensive experience? Will you return to Paris to seek revenge?
— I haven’t done any specific preparation for this tournament, which is often the case for the events I’ve recently participated in. The last time I prepared intensively was for the 19th Asian Games, where I represented my country — a completely different responsibility. As for Paris, I really loved the experience and would be completely open to returning. The city has a very vibrant chess atmosphere, and if the organisers invite me back in the future, it would be a pleasure to return, whether to play or participate in other ways.
Chess and beyond
— You are a strong advocate for women in chess. How do you view the current state of their participation in tournaments like this, and what progress still needs to be made?
— Female participation in chess has grown significantly in recent years, which is very encouraging. However, there is still a long way to go to ensure true equality of opportunity and equal visibility. Mixed events like this are important because they help integrate women into the global competitive landscape and normalise their presence at the highest level.
— Did you have time to enjoy Paris outside of the chess hall? Do you have a favorite moment or place?
— Paris is always a very inspiring city — culturally, historically, and artistically. I was lucky enough to discover some beautiful places with my mother, which made the experience even more special. We particularly enjoyed the Musée d'Orsay, which was simply magnificent, and I was also invited by Almira to a beautiful evening in a cellar restaurant. Paris’s unique blend of art, history, and culture truly leaves a lasting impression.
— What are your plans after this tournament — other competitions, teaching, or perhaps some rest?
— I plan to continue balancing my commitments between chess and higher education. I have a few tournaments coming up, but I also want to take time to reflect and recharge. Whether I’m involved in academia or professional chess, I believe my contributions have a broader impact. By building bridges between different disciplines and communities, I hope to inspire others and expand the influence of chess beyond the strictly competitive sphere.
— You are a strong advocate for women in chess. How do you view the current state of their participation in tournaments like this, and what progress still needs to be made?
— Did you have time to enjoy Paris outside of the chess hall? Do you have a favorite moment or place?
— Paris is always a very inspiring city — culturally, historically, and artistically. I was lucky enough to discover some beautiful places with my mother, which made the experience even more special. We particularly enjoyed the Musée d'Orsay, which was simply magnificent, and I was also invited by Almira to a beautiful evening in a cellar restaurant. Paris’s unique blend of art, history, and culture truly leaves a lasting impression.
— What are your plans after this tournament — other competitions, teaching, or perhaps some rest?
— I plan to continue balancing my commitments between chess and higher education. I have a few tournaments coming up, but I also want to take time to reflect and recharge. Whether I’m involved in academia or professional chess, I believe my contributions have a broader impact. By building bridges between different disciplines and communities, I hope to inspire others and expand the influence of chess beyond the strictly competitive sphere.
(English translation by I, Robot)
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Friday, July 18, 2025
Seen or Unseen
侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) – Daaevik Wadhawan
100th Paris City Chess Championship; time control: 1 hour and 30 minutes plus 30 seconds per move at the finish; Paris, July 18, 2025
Caro-Kann Defence B10
1. e4 c6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 e5 4. Ngf3 Bd6 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 0-0 7. 0-0 Re8 8. Re1 Nbd7 9. b3 a5 10. a3 dxe4 11. dxe4 Nc5 12. Bb2 b5 13. h3 Qc7 14. Nh4 Bf8 15. Nf5 Be6 16. Qe2 Nfd7 17. h4 g6 18. Ne3 h5 19. Qf1 Bh6 20. Bc3 Rad8 21. a4 b4 22. Bb2 Nb6 23. Rad1 Bc8 24. f3 Ba6 25. Qf2 Ne6 26. Bf1 Bxf1 27. Ndxf1 Nd4 28. Rd3 Rd7 29. Kg2 Red8 30. Red1 Rd6 31. c4 Nd7
32. Bxd4? (32. f4 f6 33. Bxd4 exd4 34. Rxd6 Nc5 35. Rxd6 Rxd6 36. Qf3 Nxb3 37. Nf5 gxf5 38. Qxb3 Rxd1 39. Qxd1 Qe7=)
32. ... exd4 33. Rxd4 Nc5 34. Rxd6 Rxd6 35. Qc2 Rxd1 36. Qxd1 Qe5 37. Qc2 Qd4! 38. Kf2 Qd7 39. Ke2 Qd4 40. Nd1 Qg1 41. Nf2 Bg7 42. Qd1 Ne6 43. Qd3 Bd4 44. Nd1 Nc5 45. Qd2 Nxb3 46. Qe1 Qg2+ 47. Nf2 Bc5 48. f4 Nd4+ 49. Kd3 Nf3 50. Qe2 Ng1 51. Ne3 Qxg3 52. Qd2 Nf3 53. Qe2 Qxf4 54. Ned1 Qd6+ 0–1.
32. ... exd4 33. Rxd4 Nc5 34. Rxd6 Rxd6 35. Qc2 Rxd1 36. Qxd1 Qe5 37. Qc2 Qd4! 38. Kf2 Qd7 39. Ke2 Qd4 40. Nd1 Qg1 41. Nf2 Bg7 42. Qd1 Ne6 43. Qd3 Bd4 44. Nd1 Nc5 45. Qd2 Nxb3 46. Qe1 Qg2+ 47. Nf2 Bc5 48. f4 Nd4+ 49. Kd3 Nf3 50. Qe2 Ng1 51. Ne3 Qxg3 52. Qd2 Nf3 53. Qe2 Qxf4 54. Ned1 Qd6+ 0–1.
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Ashes and Arrows
Ritvik Krishnan – 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán)
100th Paris City Chess Championship; time control: 1 hour and 30 minutes plus 30 seconds per move at the finish; Paris, July 17, 2025
Sicilian Defence B45
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 d6 6. g4!? Nge7 7. Be3 a6 8. h4. The “mixed-up” approach 8. Nb3 b5 9. a3 Ng6 10. Qe2 Nge5 11. Bg2 Bd7 12. Rd1 Be7 13. 0-0 g5 14. Nd4 Nxd4 15. Bxd4 0-0 gave Black an easier game to play in T. A. Kosintseva – 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán), 2nd “鄞州杯” (“Yínzhōu Cup”) Women’s World Team Chess Championship, 宁波 (Níngbō) 2009.
8. ... b5 9. Nxc6?! Anticlimactic. 9. Nb3 b5 10. Rh3!?⩲↑ would transpose into a game Leitão – Sunye Neto, 3rd Manaus Chess Open, Manaus 2024, where White eventually managed to break through the defence of the Black King.
9. ... Nxc6 10. a3 Bb7 11. Qd2 Rc8 12. g5 Qa5 13. Rd1 Ne5 14. Rh3 Be7 15. h5 Nc4 16. Bxc4 Rxc4 17. Bd4 0-0
8. ... b5 9. Nxc6?! Anticlimactic. 9. Nb3 b5 10. Rh3!?⩲↑ would transpose into a game Leitão – Sunye Neto, 3rd Manaus Chess Open, Manaus 2024, where White eventually managed to break through the defence of the Black King.
9. ... Nxc6 10. a3 Bb7 11. Qd2 Rc8 12. g5 Qa5 13. Rd1 Ne5 14. Rh3 Be7 15. h5 Nc4 16. Bxc4 Rxc4 17. Bd4 0-0
18. g6? White pushes the wrong Pawn and all his hopes for an attack against the enemy King fall to the ground. 18. Bf6!? Qd8!∞ (18. ... gxf6? 19. gxf6 Bxf6 20. Rg3+ Kh8 21. Qh6 Qd8 22. Rxd6! Qe7 23. Rd7!+−) and/or 18. h6 g6∞ would be more proper options.
18. ... h6! 19. Rg3?! b4! She hit back hard.
20. Ne2 Qxh5 21. Qd3 Rcc8 22. Nf4 Qh1+ 23. Ke2 Qxe4+ 24. Qxe4 Bxe4 25. gxf7+ Rxf7 26. Nxe6 g5! Dominating the Knight on e6.
27. Ke3?! Bd5 28. Rh3
18. ... h6! 19. Rg3?! b4! She hit back hard.
20. Ne2 Qxh5 21. Qd3 Rcc8 22. Nf4 Qh1+ 23. Ke2 Qxe4+ 24. Qxe4 Bxe4 25. gxf7+ Rxf7 26. Nxe6 g5! Dominating the Knight on e6.
27. Ke3?! Bd5 28. Rh3
A last little trap: if now 28. ... Bxe6 there would follow 29. Rxh6 with the double threat of Rh6-h8# and Rh6xe6. But no.
28. ... Rxc2! 29. Kd3. But now White cannot play 29. Rxh6 because of 29. ... Rf3#.
29. ... Bxe6 30. Rxh6 Bf5+ 31. Ke3 Rh7 0–1.
28. ... Rxc2! 29. Kd3. But now White cannot play 29. Rxh6 because of 29. ... Rf3#.
29. ... Bxe6 30. Rxh6 Bf5+ 31. Ke3 Rh7 0–1.
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
45° à l’ombre
Vijay Raghav – 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán)
100th Paris City Chess Championship; time control: 1 hour and 30 minutes plus 30 seconds per move at the finish; Paris, July 16, 2025
Sicilian Defence B32
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Qb6 5. Nb3 g6 6. Be2 Bg7 7. 0-0 d6 8. Nc3 Bxc3!? Apparently, the advantage of the Bishop pair is not an absolute for 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán).
9. bxc3 Nf6 10. c4!? White sets fire to the powder with a bold sacrifice of a Pawn. Nevertheless, 10. Bd3, followed by Kg1-h1 and f2-f4, might have been a less committal way of implementing the claim to an advantage.
10. ... Nxe4 11. Bf3 Nf6 12. Bh6 Ne5 13. Re1
9. bxc3 Nf6 10. c4!? White sets fire to the powder with a bold sacrifice of a Pawn. Nevertheless, 10. Bd3, followed by Kg1-h1 and f2-f4, might have been a less committal way of implementing the claim to an advantage.
10. ... Nxe4 11. Bf3 Nf6 12. Bh6 Ne5 13. Re1
13. ... Bg4? This glaring error gives White two pieces for a Rook. Black should rather play 13. ... Nfg4! 14. c5! dxc5 15. Bg7 c4∞ with complex play.
14. Rxe5 dxe5 15. Bxg4 Rd8 16. Qe2 Nxg4 17. Qxg4 f6 18. Be3 Qa6 19. h4 Kf7 20. h5 Rc8 21. Nc5 Qc6 22. Ne4 Rhd8 23. Rb1 Qd7 24. Qh4 Rg8 25. Nc5 Qd6 26. Nxb7 Qc6 27. Nc5 Rc7 28. hxg6+ hxg6
14. Rxe5 dxe5 15. Bxg4 Rd8 16. Qe2 Nxg4 17. Qxg4 f6 18. Be3 Qa6 19. h4 Kf7 20. h5 Rc8 21. Nc5 Qc6 22. Ne4 Rhd8 23. Rb1 Qd7 24. Qh4 Rg8 25. Nc5 Qd6 26. Nxb7 Qc6 27. Nc5 Rc7 28. hxg6+ hxg6
29. Rb8! Rcc8 (29. ... Rxb8 30. Qh7+ Kf8 31. Bh6+ Ke8 32. Qg8#)
30. Rb7 Rh8 31. Qe4 Rcd8 32. Rb1 Qc8 33. Nd3 Rh5 34. f3 Rdh8 35. Kf2 Rd8 36. c5 Qe6 37. Rb3 Rh2 38. c6 g5 39. c7 Rc8 40. Kg1 Rch8 41. Qg4 Rh1+ 42. Kf2 Qc6
30. Rb7 Rh8 31. Qe4 Rcd8 32. Rb1 Qc8 33. Nd3 Rh5 34. f3 Rdh8 35. Kf2 Rd8 36. c5 Qe6 37. Rb3 Rh2 38. c6 g5 39. c7 Rc8 40. Kg1 Rch8 41. Qg4 Rh1+ 42. Kf2 Qc6
43. Nxe5+! fxe5 44. Qf5+ Kg7 45. Qxg5+ Kf7 46. Qf5+ Kg7 47. Qxe5+ Kg6 48. Qg5+ Kh7 49. Qf5+ Kg7 50. Bd4+ Kh6 51. Qf4+ Kg6 52. Qg4+ Kf7 53. Qf5+ 1–0.
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Wandering by the Seine
侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) – Joseph Girel
100th Paris City Chess Championship; time control: 1 hour and 30 minutes plus 30 seconds per move at the finish; Paris, July 15, 2025
Sicilian Defence B82
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Be3 Nc6 7. f4 Be7 8. Qf3 e5 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Bc4 Ng4 11. Bd2 exf4 12. Bxf4 0-0 13. 0-0-0 Bg5 14. Kb1 Bxf4 15. Qxf4 Ne5 16. Bb3 Qe7
17. Rd2 Be6 18. Rhd1 Rfd8 19. Na4 Rab8 20. Bxe6 fxe6 21. b3 c5 22. Qg3 c4 23. Rd4 h6 24. Nb2 Rbc8 25. Nxc4 Nxc4 26. Rxc4 Rxc4 27. bxc4 Qb7+ 28. Kc1 Qxe4 29. Rxd6 Rxd6 30. Qxd6 Qxc4 31. Qb8+ Kh7 32. Qxa7 Qf4+ 33. Kb2 Qb4+ 34. Kc1 ½–½.
Perhaps still suffering from the effects of yesterday’s shock, today 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) contented herself with a “Solomonic” draw. Photo: Tatiana Kostiuk Dornbusch. |
Tea With Madame 林 (Lín)
One can give up many things for conformism, but one should not give up oneself, and that’s why, at least once a year, we can’t help but meet with our dearest friend 林丽丽 (Lín Lìlì)! |
Monday, July 14, 2025
Rusty & Sharpy
侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) – Gleb Evgenievich Dudin
100th Paris City Chess Championship; time control: 1 hour and 30 minutes plus 30 seconds per move at the finish; Paris, July 14, 2025
Sicilian Defence B53
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nf6 5. Bb5+ Bd7 6. c4 g6 7. Nc3 Bg7 8. 0-0 0-0 9. Qd3 Bg4 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 Nfd7 12. Bxd7 Qxd7 13. b3 Nc6 14. Bb2 f5! 15. Rad1 f4 16. Na4 Bxb2 17. Nxb2 Qe6 18. Qd3 Qf6 19. Na4 f3! 20. Qxf3 Qxf3 21. gxf3 b6 22. Kg2 Ne5 23. Rd5 Nxf3
24. Nb2? Due to her long absence from agonistic chess, 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) is obviously “rusty” and struggles to interpret the dynamisms correctly, showing staticity in her planning. Thus her sophisticated Knight manoeuvre doesn’t take into account Black’s possibility of developing a straight initiative on the Kingside. 24. Rd3! was now called for.
24. ... Rf6 25. Nd3 Raf8 26. e5?! (26. Kg3 h5)
26. ... dxe5 27. Kg3. If there was a reason behind White’s 26th move, it cannot be identified in 27. Nxe5? because of 27. ... e6 28. Rb5 a6 winning a piece.
27. ... e4 28. Nb2 e6 29. Rd6
24. ... Rf6 25. Nd3 Raf8 26. e5?! (26. Kg3 h5)
26. ... dxe5 27. Kg3. If there was a reason behind White’s 26th move, it cannot be identified in 27. Nxe5? because of 27. ... e6 28. Rb5 a6 winning a piece.
27. ... e4 28. Nb2 e6 29. Rd6
29. ... Rf5! With threat of mate by ... Rf5-g5#.
30. h4 Rf4 31. Rd8 Rxh4 32. Rxf8+ Kxf8 33. Nd1 h5 34. Ne3 Ke7 35. b4. With a last vain hope that the c-Pawn may queen. But no, of course not, it can’t.
35. ... Kf6 36. Ng2 Rh2 37. Ne1 h4+ 38. Kg4 Nxe1 39. Rxe1 Rxf2 40. Kxh4 Ke5 41. Rc1 Rxa2 42. c5 bxc5 43. bxc5 Rh2+ 44. Kg3 Rh7 45. c6 Rc7 46. Kf2 0–1.
30. h4 Rf4 31. Rd8 Rxh4 32. Rxf8+ Kxf8 33. Nd1 h5 34. Ne3 Ke7 35. b4. With a last vain hope that the c-Pawn may queen. But no, of course not, it can’t.
35. ... Kf6 36. Ng2 Rh2 37. Ne1 h4+ 38. Kg4 Nxe1 39. Rxe1 Rxf2 40. Kxh4 Ke5 41. Rc1 Rxa2 42. c5 bxc5 43. bxc5 Rh2+ 44. Kg3 Rh7 45. c6 Rc7 46. Kf2 0–1.
Duel of fates. Photo: Ligue d’Île-de-France des Échecs.
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