第三類接觸 (Close Encounters of the Third Kind)

A handshake at the 22nd China High-Tech Fair (CHTF), now underway (November 11–15) at the 会展中心 (Convention and Exhibition Centre) in 福田区 (Fútián District), 深圳 (Shēnzhèn), China. Photo: Rex/Shutterstock.

Time to Dream

Employers work on the production line of a robot vacuum cleaner factory of Matsutek in 深圳 (Shēnzhèn), China August 9, 2019. Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters.

賓虛 (Ben-Hur)

Rescue workers and excavators on the scene of a collapsed sports stadium in 深圳 (Shēnzhèn), 广东省 (Guǎngdōng province), China. Photo: Reuters/Stringer.

色環 (Colour Wheel)

Four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán), on occasion of her informal lecture at 深圳书城 (Shēnzhèn Book City) in 龙岗区 (Lónggǎng District), 深圳 (Shēnzhèn), China on Sunday, December 23, 2018, advised her younger audience to give always priority to scholastic studies rather than to chess, bringing her own experience as a lucky example. She encountered her first “conflict” at eighteen years, particularly when most chess officials besieged her to make her recede from her intention to enter the Peking University, which could have eclipsed her professional career as a player. “I have always had a clear idea in my heart. That is, no matter how far I go in chess, I don’t want my future life to be only chess. That’s an indispensable part of my life, but nevertheless, I still hope that my studies will offer me new experiences and perspectives in other fields as well, so as to make my life more colourful”, 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) said. Photo: szlg.com.

Beyond the Board

As previously announced, on the afternoon of Sunday, December 23, 2018 four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) walked up the staircase to the fourth floor of 深圳书城 (Shēnzhèn Book City) in 龙岗区 (Lónggǎng District), 深圳 (Shēnzhèn), China to entertain a crowd of youngsters and families with the tale of her extraordinary chess carreer. After summing up the highlights of her bio, without hiding any of the difficulties which she encountered along the way, 13th Women’s World Chess Champion graciously answered questions and offered suggestions on a variety of matters related to priority of study. “Children must never interrupt their scholastic studies, no matter how much they are interested in chess”, 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) said. According to her, chess, if teached as an interlude, is not in conflict with scholastic study protocols, and yet it may serve to help the psychological growth of students. “I suggest that third and fourth graders must first focus on their scholastic studies. They can study chess during the summer and winter holidays, and eventually squeeze out some time on weekends to study and play a little”, she said. Once again 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) vindicated her preference for the Pawn — the weakest of all chessmen — that is often sacrificed in the name of success, but which carries in itself its own gift of reborning to anything but King and itself once it reaches its eighth square. Finally, 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán)’s last recommendation to her young audience was not to be afraid of losing, as learning — even from defeats — is the best way to win. Photos: sznews.com.

Life Is Not Easy

In the afternoon of Saturday, December 22, 2018 four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) held a class for young students at the 龙岗区青少年活动中心 (Lónggǎng District Youth Activity Centre) in 深圳 (Shēnzhèn), China. She first analysed some of her games, focusing particularly on one of her games from her match against Nigel David Short in 2016. She then dispensed her guidelines and advice, such as not to study opening moves by heart, but rather understand and master the geometry of the board. And finally, the most important advice of all: “Interest is the most important thing, so any training method should not be as excessive as to demotivate students. It’s not a mere matter of how many study hours are required. Everyone must find his own measure”. Photos: sznews.com.

“我从不回头，亲爱的。因为它会干扰我，让我无法全心关注当下” (“I never look back, darling. It distracts from the now”)

Early in the afternoon of December 12, 2018 four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) graced with her presence the 宝安小学 (Bǎo’ān Primary School) in 深圳 (Shēnzhèn), China where she performed a lecture interspersed with a spectacular simultaneous exhibition against 45 young students. Thus she shared with them her own memories and experiences as a young chess star: “The first time I took part in a world class competition I was nine years old, almost the same age as my opponents, who were coming from all the world. I was then more inclined to adopt a learning attitude rather than aiming for specific goals”, 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) said. “That experience taught me that everyone’s level is very close. So what is needed in any competition is to play as best as possible, and in such a way both the theoretical preparation and the balance of the physical and psychological state are very important. Just make plans but never follow them too dogmatically, never lose sight and sense of concrete contingency”. No wonder that, after such a shining of vintage “Soviet School of Chess”, 13th Women’s World Chess Champion made a passionate declaration of love to the Pawn, though not (only) because — as Philidor said — it “is the soul of chess”, but rather, for its impossibility to step back. “The extraordinary thing is that a Pawn can’t move backward. It can move only forward, never backward, which means that every Pawn move must be carefully thought out”, 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) said. All photos: sports.sina.cn.

Whether by elevator or by stairs, the coffee house on the ground floor is worth stopping for

On Sunday, December 23, 2018 at 16,00 four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) will climb the stairway to the fourth floor of 深圳书城 (Shēnzhèn Book City) — the “Forbidden City” of books — in 龙岗区 (Lónggǎng District), 深圳 (Shēnzhèn), China where, for the sake of a young audience, she will conduct a lecture (plus Q&A) on how to learn and study chess, face competitions and challenges, and handle diplomatic relationships in time and space with media and fans.

The newly opened 深圳书城 (Shēnzhèn Book City) in 龙岗区 (Lónggǎng District) covers an area of ​​about 11,000 square meters, with a commercial area of ​​about 8,500 square meters. Rendering: shenzhen.sina.com.cn.

The School of the Heart

On Wednesday, December 19, 2018, four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) held a friendly meeting with the students of the 深圳中学 (Shēnzhèn Middle School) and 龙岗小学 (Lónggǎng Primary School) in 龙岗区 (Lónggǎng District), 深圳 (Shēnzhèn), China speaking about her own experiences experiences as a student and a chess professional, with a special advice to all of them: “Go where your heart takes you and do what you really like to do”, she said. “And be ready to solve any difficulties you may encounter”. All photos: sohu.com.

East, West, Home’s Best

Four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) took an interlude from her Master’s Degree in Education at the University of Oxford in order to fly back to her homeland and bring her experiences into a Chinese classroom. Thus in the afternoon of December 13, 2018 13th Women’s World Chess Champion, rigorously dressed in the school ceremony clothes, took the stage of 星河 (Xīnghé) Experimental Primary School in 龙岗区 (Lónggǎng District), 深圳 (Shēnzhèn), China to perform a choreographic 50-board simultaneous exhibition with young students, eventually followed by a friendly Q&A. Photos: sznews.com.

“History never repeats itself, but the kaleidoscopic combinations of the pictured present often seem to be constructed out of the broken fragments of antique legends”

Another Friday, another time. It was June 29, 2018 at an unusual hour (very early in the afternoon) when at least fifty young students from the 深圳中学 (Shēnzhèn Middle School) and 龙岗小学 (Lónggǎng Primary School) gathered in the halls of the Bureau of Culture, Sport and Tourism of 龙岗区 (Lónggǎng District) in 深圳 (Shēnzhèn), China to enjoy the metaphysical experience of seeing with their own eyes four-time Women’s World Chess Champion as well as Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán), the superstar Goddess of the royal game, getting down on earth to meet them. After a brief introduction of all her successes in chess as well as in academic studies, the youngsters presented her with their own greetings, gifting her with colourful flowers and the branded silken red scarf. After some chatting, 13th Women’s World Chess Champion performed a spectacular 50-board simultaneous exhibition, with children, young, and old irresistibly struck with the magic circle of boards. In the end, all’s well that ends well: still applauses and flowers at the superstar’s feet, who, on her turn, with a humble smile, signed autographs and posed for group pictures. Photos: sohu.com.

A Rhyme in Time

Four-time Women’s World Chess Champion as well as Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) giving her speech to the students of the 深圳市百合外国语学校 (Shēnzhèn Bǎihé Foreign Language School), 龙岗区 (Lónggǎng District), 深圳 (Shēnzhèn), China on the afternoon of June 26, 2018. Video by 王林达 (Wáng Líndá).

Closing credits

Early in the morning of Sunday, July 9, 2018 four-time Women’s World Chess Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) (pictured above centre left) and former FIDE World Chess Champion Ruslan Olegovich Ponomariov (pictured above centre right) participated in the promotional festivities of their clash of genders. On the stage (and in the backstage as well) of the High-Tech Industrial Park, 粤海街道 (Yuèhǎi Subdistrict), 南山区 (Nánshān District), 深圳 (Shēnzhèn), China 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) and Ponomariov met and chatted with a crowd of young fans, sharing their experiences and views about their respective chess odysseys. And finally, they performed their scheduled joint simultaneous exhibition, for the joy of the youngsters challengers as well as of their families. Photos: sznews.com.

蝙蝠女孩 (Batgirl)

Footage from the opening ceremony of the clash of genders between four-time Women’s World Chess Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) and former FIDE World Chess Champion Ruslan Olegovich Ponomariov held in the early afternoon of Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at the 南山博物馆 (Nánshān Museum) in 深圳 (Shēnzhèn), China.

⚥

Here is another view from Saturday’s grand closing ceremony of the 深圳 (Shēnzhèn) 南山 (Nánshān) clash of genders, narrowly won by ♂ (former FIDE World Chess Champion Ruslan Olegovich Ponomariov) over ♀ [four-time Women’s World Chess Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán)]. In the end, however, there were prizes for everyone. Photos: 樊璐璐 (Fán Lùlù).

Time Delay

侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) – Ruslan Olegovich Ponomariov

Rapid & Blitz World Chess Champions Showdown; match game 8 (15+10); 深圳 (Shēnzhèn), July 5, 2018

Spanish Game C65

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. 0-0 Nd4 6. Nxd4 Bxd4 7. c3 Bb6 8. Na3 c6 9. Ba4 d6 10. Nc4 Bc7 11. Bb3 Be6 12. f4!? exf4 13. Bxf4 d5 14. exd5!? If not new, it is certainly more ambitious than 14. Nd2 0-0 15. d4 Nxe4 16. Bxc7 Qxc7 17. Nxe4 dxe4 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. Qg4 Qd6 20. Qxe4 Qd5= Efimenko – Fressinet, 30th European Chess Club Cup, Bilbao 2014. 14. ... Nxd5 15. Bxc7 Qxc7 16. Qf3. 16. Qh5!? 0-0 17. Rae1 Rad8 doesn’t seem to offer anything more. Perhaps 16. d4 at once might have been considered. 16. ... 0-0 17. Rae1 Rae8 18. d4 Re7 19. Ne5. 19. Bc2 Nf6 20. Ne5 Nd7 transposes into the game. 19. ... Nf6 20. Bc2. With the deadly threat of Qf3-d3.

20. ... Nd7. The only move. 21. Qe4 g6. Of course, after 21. ... f5? 22. Qh4 the weakening of the a2-g8 diagonal would imply quite dramatic consequences for Black. 22. Nf3. Intending Nf3-g5. If 22. Qh4 there might follow 22. ... Nxe5 23. Rxe5 Rfe8 with an approximate balance, so maybe she could consider 22. Ng4!? f5 23. Nh6+ Kg7 24. Qh4 Nf6 25. g4!? fxg4 26. Qg5∞ which, although very unclear, might have its speculative appeal. 22. ... f5 23. Qh4 Nf6 24. Ng5 Bd5. 24. ... Bxa2(?) 25. b3 is obviously nonsensical. 25. b3? The rapid time control hurts as usual. White ought to have played 25. Rxe7 Qxe7 26. Re1 Ne4 27. Qg3!? keeping tension and unbalance on the board. 25. ... Rfe8 26. c4 Rxe1? But time passes for everyone, even for Ponomariov. After 26. ... Ng4! 27. Rxe7 Qxe7 28. cxd5 Qe3+ 29. Kh1 Nf2+ 30. Kg1 Nh3++ 31. Kh1 Nxg5 Black would have emerged with a very pleasant position. 27. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 28. Qxe1 h6 29. Ne6 Bxe6 30. Qxe6+ Kg7 31. h3 h5 32. Bd3 h4 33. Qe1 Qf4! A pretty way to draw. 34. Qe7+ Kh6 35. Qxf6 Qe3+ 36. Kh2 Qg3+ 37. Kh1 Qe1+ 38. Kh2 Qg3+ ½ : ½.

侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) (left) and Ruslan Olegovich Ponomariov (right) analysing and discussing their games. Photo: qipai.org.cn.

Working Saturday

Pictured above is Grandmaster 赵雪 (Zhào Xuě), who, like a rabbit out of a hat, suddenly appeared in the studios to comment live on 深圳 (Shēnzhèn)’s clash of genders’ games. Since tomorrow is free day, the match will start over again early Saturday morning with the last 10 games at blitz. Photo: 樊璐璐 (Fán Lùlù).

A Day of Summer

“Maybe it's because I haven’t played chess for three months”, 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) (pictured above) said, commentating on the results of the first day of her match with Ponomariov. She regretted especially the loss of the first game, which she unexpectedly lost on time. “I wasn’t able to tune myself. I thought I had time enough, but no. Game over”, she said. In the second game, she finally found back her inspiration, and won quite convincingly... even if only on a Chinese screen: elsewhere the game ended – some hours later – as a draw! At the end, in the last two games she felt quite flattered. So there’s no reason to despair: “I still hope to get back up to my standard as sooner as possible, so as to enjoy my playing”. But as a compensation, when stepping in her summer black evening dress, she was the only one who took over the stage. Photo: 樊璐璐 (Fán Lùlù).