G+

侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) – Ekaterina Aleksandrovna Lagno

3rd Tech Mahindra Global Chess League; Round-Robin; SG Alpine Pipers – PBG Alaskan Knights; time control: 20 minutes plus 2 seconds per move after move 40; Mumbai, December 22, 2025

Giuoco Piano C50

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 Bc5 4. Nc3 0-0 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. a3 a6 7. h3 h6? Mistakes always cost dear, and in open games even dearer. Correct was 7. ... d6 8. Bg5 h6 with a playable position.

8. g4! Nh7 9. Rg1! Likewise, after 9. g5 hxg5 10. Rg1→ Droin – Davtyan, 59th World Junior Chess Championship, Cala Gonone 2022.
9. ... Nd4 10. g5 Nxf3+ 11. Qxf3 hxg5 12. h4 d5 13. Bxg5 Nxg5 14. hxg5 dxc4 15. Qh5 Bxf2+!? Desperation, for if 15. ... f6 then 16. g6 Re8 17. Nd5 with mating attack.
16. Kxf2 Qd4+ 17. Kg2 Qd7. Black hopes for a little relief by exchanging Queens.

18. Nd5! But no! If now 18. ... Qg4+ 19. Qxg4 Bxg4 then 20. Ne7+ Kh7 21. Rh1+ followed by mate.
18. ... Rd8 19. Kh2 Qd6 20. g6 1–0.

侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) was the catalyst for today’s victory, dragging her team to the Final. Photo: ChessBase India.