Horizon effect

A woman spends leisure time at a waterside park in southwest China’s 重庆 (Chóngqìng). Photo: 王全超 (Wáng Quánchāo)/新华社 (Xīnhuá News Agency).

Training for the New Millennium

Challengers taking part in a chilli pepper eating contest in a hot spring filled with chilli peppers in the 明月千古情景区举办 (Míngyuè Qiāngǔ Scenic Area) in 温汤镇 (Wēntāng Town), 宜春 (Yíchūn), in China’s central 江西省 (Jiāngxī Province). The winner needed 1 minute to eat 20 peppers. Photo: 陈飞 (Chén Fēi).

佩珀军士的孤独之心俱乐部乐队 (Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band)

Participants take a bath in barrels filled with chilli peppers during the Spicy Barrel Challenge contest inside a water park in 重庆 (Chóngqìng), China on July 7, 2018. Photo: 陈超 (Chén Chāo)/CNS via Reuters.

Beyond the Neon Lights

In a long interview for the 广州日报 (Guǎngzhōu Daily), 17th Women’s World Chess Champion 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) (pictured above) talked at length about her twenty-year-long “Chess Odyssey”, from the very beginnings (when she was 7 years old) up to the Queen’s throne. Her story is not too different from the five Chinese Women’s World Chess Champions who came before her. Even in her case, chess – Western chess – came into her life quite by chance, while she was into studying calligraphy and dance. It took twenty years to make a shy girl into a World Champion, and the way has not always been as obvious as one could expect. Everyone can read her “parable” on the specialised (chess) websites, which won’t ever say that studying dance is a much more noble way to happiness. Whatever it is, 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) shared with the interviewer her secret way to relax amidst stress and games: “I like to listen to songs. Lately, 周杰伦 (Jay Chou)’s last song 《不愛我就拉倒》 (‘If you don’t love me, just forget about it’) brought me a little peace. But I am not able to sing. I would not feel at my ease at all on a karaoke stage”. Photo: news.sina.com.cn.

不愛我就拉倒 周杰伦 (Jay Chou) 寒流来了 刚好 刚好可以 把你手放外套 把安全帽戴好 不让你在 爱情路上跌倒 加速狂飙 你说不要 爱的险你不想冒 不想被套牢 他的怀抱 真比我好 你幸福就好 不爱我就拉倒 离开之前 不要爱的抱抱 反正 我又不是没有人要 哥练的胸肌 如果你还想靠 好胆你就麦造 If you don’t love me, just forget about it 周杰伦 (Jay Chou) A cold spell came just in time Put your hands into my coat Put on your helmet I won’t let you fall off the road of love Hit the gas, you say no You don’t want to risk your love You don’t want my hold You feel safer in his arms than in mine Whatever makes you happy If you don’t love me, just forget about it Before leaving I hug you even if you don’t love me But it’s not like I couldn’t be loved My chest is stronger If you still rely upon it Be brave and don’t leave

(Very free translation by Nobody’s Perfect)

Trading Places

17th Women’s World Chess Champion 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) interviewed by 五星体育 (Great Sports) channel on May 25, 2018.

That One Day

I was thinking that the knockout system could be much suitable, for instance, for regulating the manner and procedures used for FIDE presidential elections. Can you imagine how quickly the 64th finals of a fictional knockout Presidents Cup in a Colosseum would get all sold out? And can you figure what would happen to a top seed shocked by an outsider? Yes, of course you can. But, just don’t call it “chess politics”. Even fiction has its ethics.

Agartala, India: A man pushes his rickshaw and passenger through a flooded street after heavy rain. Photo: Jayanta Dey/Reuters.

After the Ceremony

17th Women’s World Chess Champion 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) and Mrs. 单霞丽 (Dān Xiálì), President of 上海 (Shànghǎi) Chess Academy, enjoying the after coronation ceremony, which consecrated for the first time in Chinese chess history a Queen from 上海 (Shànghǎi). They have, however, only a semester to succeed in keeping the crown in safety until the world is free of FIDE “knockouters”. How will they manage where all earlier Queens have failed? Photo collage: 杨翼 (Yáng Yì).

中国制造 (Made in China)

And, finally, FIDE President Kirsan Nikolayevich Ilyumzhinov put the final seal on the Women’s World Championship match made in China:

百慕達三角 (Bermuda Triangle)

17th Women’s World Chess Champion 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) posing amidst her two seconds 倪华 (Ní Huá) (right) and 王玥 (Wáng Yuè) (left). Especially 倪华 (Ní Huá) has been 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn)’s personal trainer since 2016, after she expressly asked him for help in making her dream to become Women’s World Champion a reality. Since they both were born and live in 上海 (Shànghǎi), it hasn’t been difficult to set up hard training sessions both at the 上海 (Shànghǎi) Chess Academy and at 倪华 (Ní Huá)’s home. Photo: sohu.com.

The Secret Wardrobe

As a fitting mark of the coronation ceremony, it didn’t pass unnoticed that the newly Queen 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn), in order not to seem too dogmatic about her sponsor’s rigid formalism, had taken with her even some fresh clothes for her free days. Photos: qipai.org.cn.

Odds and Ends

The awarding ceremony of the “中国移动” (“China Mobile”) plus “莱茵体育杯” (“Lander Sports Cup”) Women’s World Chess Championship was held at the 上邦 (Shàngbāng) International Hot Spring Hotel in 重庆 (Chóngqìng), China on the morning of May 19, 2018. Photo: 樊璐璐 (Fán Lùlù).

And the flowers bloomed into a crown of glory for the elegant lady from 上海 (Shànghǎi) 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) when she took the stage as the new Women’s World Chess Champion. Photo: 樊璐璐 (Fán Lùlù).

杨俊安 (Yáng Jùn’ān) (left) and 叶江川 (Yè Jiāngchuān) (right), respectively President and Vice President of the Chinese Chess Association, awarded 17th Women’s World Chess Champion 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) the non-symbolic prize of 120,000 €uros after taxes. Photo: 樊璐璐 (Fán Lùlù).

And, finally, 宋泓 (Sòng Hóng) (left), member of the Standing Committee of CPC 九龙坡 (Jiǔlóngpō District) Committee and Deputy Head of People’s Government of 九龙坡 (Jiǔlóngpō District), and 王霓 (Wáng Ní) (right), member of the Party Committee and inspector of 重庆 (Chóngqìng) Municipal Bureau of Sports, awarded 16th Women’s World Chess Champion 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) the consolation prize of 80,000 €uros after taxes. Photo: 樊璐璐 (Fán Lùlù).

Seven Plus

Pictured above (from left to right and from top to bottom) are the six Chinese wonder Women’s World Chess Champions: 谢军 (Xiè Jūn), 诸宸 (Zhū Chén), 许昱华 (Xǔ Yùhuá), 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán), 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí), and 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn). Photo collage: sports.sina.com.cn.

Millennial Reign

Tonight is a happy night for 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn), who is celebrating her new self with the Queen’s crown on her head, but happiness doesn’t last forever. Actually, FIDE has already started the countdown for the expiry date of her title, and her reign, indeed, might be very brief — one of the most brief of chess history — as the next Women’s World Chess Championship Knockout Tournament is to be held within six months in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia from November 1–25, 2018. Whoever believed that the showing of a fictional narrative would have evoked a debate (even if only electoral) about the legitimacy of such a crowning raffle, must have now understood that Gens una sunt simply do not debate. Not even fictionally.

居文君 (Jū Wénjūn). Photo: 谷笑冰 (Gǔ Xiàobīng).

Forget Me Not

Today’s post-match press conference has been exceptionally attended by the Deputy Director of the Chess & Cards Sports Management Centre of the National Sports Bureau 叶江川 (Yè Jiāngchuān) (right), who euphorically joined the press attaché 谷笑冰 (Gǔ Xiàobīng) (left), the newly former Women’s World Chess Champion 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) (centre left) and the new Women’s World Chess Champion 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn). 上海宝贝 (Shànghǎi baby), 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn), began thanking her supporters and helpers, including two super-Grandmasters: “Thanks to the 上海 (Shànghǎi) Chess Academy, and particularly to my seconds 倪华 (Ní Huá) and 王玥 (Wáng Yuè). Such a match is mostly a test of will power, and I feel happy of having won it. Under the given circumstances, I’m also quite satisfied with my performance play”. 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí), too, thanked her supporters and sponsors, with a special mention to her second: “Thanks to everyone who helped me logistically and financially, and a special thank to my second 周唯奇 (Zhōu Wéiqí). I made too many mistakes during the first half in 上海 (Shànghǎi), finding myself out of rhythm. After returning to 重庆 (Chóngqìng), I found back myself and I almost came back, but just not enough”. Asked about the alternate systems and formats of the Women’s World Chess Championship, 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) answered frankly: “A match requires high physical capability, and it can even be exhausting, but it’s a very fortunate experience. If it’s between match and knockout tournament, I decidedly prefer the match”. 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí), even understandably, stands on the opposite side of the board: “During the match I often felt hollowed out. I would have desired to be happier. I like more the knockout tournament as it produces more surprise for the audience: an exciting combination of classic, rapid and blitz chess”. Finally, fashion gossip. Reporters emphasized that 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) flaunted a variety of outfits every day, whilst 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) always showed off her bureaucratic uniform. “Actually, I should put a little more time on my make-up, but such a dress appeared to me more formal. Indeed, my sponsor gave me ample variety of choice: I still have another white-coloured blouse to spare, if ever the match should have ended in a tie-break tomorrow”, 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) said, triggering general laughter. On her turn, 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) gives the solution of her formula ten outfits = ten games: “It’s all a question of mood. After all, it’s summer and I have to change my clothing anyway. But I wore the same coat. I too don’t put too much time on my make-up: just a couple of minutes a day to apply lipstick”. Then she joked with her opponent: “Oh, yes, 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) tells she felt good in her formal uniform, but two days ago I found out that she wore a make-up!”. In the end, they cheered each other with words of praise and hope. Of course, a Queen knows how to leave the stage on top: “Congratulations on my friend’s win”, 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) said. “We don’t play chess the same way. For her isn’t a job as for me: it’s a passion. So that’s what I should do. I hope in the future to reduce tournaments’s quantity in favour of play’s quality, and to be able to continue my career”. Photo: news.sina.com.

妈祖 (Māzǔ)

居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) – 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí)
Women’s World Chess Championship match game 10; 重庆 (Chóngqìng), May 18, 2018
Modern Defence B06

1. d4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. e4 d6 4. Bc4 e6 5. 0-0 Ne7 6. a4 Nd7. For her (possibly) last parade as Women’s World Champion, 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) retorts to the Hippopotamus formation, which consists in placing her Pawns along the third (sixth) rank. It may offer no targets for White (in the best of hypothesis), but also zero winning prospects for Black. Probably 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) was already resigned to her fate. 7. c3 a5 8. Re1 b6 9. Na3 h6 10. Bd3!? On her (possibly) last apparition as a challenger, 上海 (Shànghǎi)’s girl plays very confidently, without erring into digressive theory: 10. h3 Bb7 11. Bf4 g5 12. Bg3 Ng6 13. Qd2 Nf6 14. Bd3 Nh5 15. Bh2 Nhf4 16. Bb5+ Kf8 17. Bf1 Qf6 which seemed like the best Black could hope for, Huss – Romanov, 6th Zürich Chess Challenge (Kortschnoi Open), Zürich 2017. 10. ... Bb7 11. Nc4 0-0 12. Qe2 e5 13. dxe5 dxe5 14. b3 Qb8 15. Ba3 c5 16. Rad1 Rd8 17. Bc1 Bc6 18. Bc2 Qc7 19. Na3

19. ... g5? Quite curiously, it’s the g-Pawn that marks the doom of the last game of the Women’s World Championship match. Objectively speaking, however, 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) had to invent something in order to turn a situation that hadn’t gone well. In the position of the diagram, indeed, White already enjoyed a crystal clear spatial and positional advantage, and probably there was no longer a way up for Black. 20. h4! g4 21. Nh2 h5 22. f3 gxf3 23. Qxf3 Ng6 24. Bg5 f6 25. Qxh5 Ndf8 26. Be3 Be8 27. Qg4 Bd7 28. Qh5. 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn), although being in a totally won position, is happy to nobly concede her opponent a draw by repetition. 28. ... Be6. No, 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) says. 29. Nb5 Qe7 30. Ng4 Rxd1 31. Rxd1 Rd8 32. Rxd8 Qxd8 33. Nh6+ Bxh6 34. Bxh6 Bf7 35. Qg4 Be6 36. Qg3 Kh7 37. Be3 Qd7 38. Qf2 Qe7 39. g3 Bg4 40. Qd2 Ne6 41. Kh2 Ng7 42. Nd6 Qd7 43. Nc4 Qf7 44. Nd6 Qg8 45. Qf2 Qd8 46. Qd2 Nh5 47. Nf5 Qg8 48. Qd5 Qf8 49. Bh6 Qe8 50. Qb7+ Kg8 51. Ng7. 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) just doesn’t want to win (after 51. Qxb6 White simply gobbles up all of Black’s Pawns on the Queenside), and, indeed, she will succeed in composing a draw position which will be unrefusable even for the proud 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí). 51. ... Qe7 52. Qxe7 Nxe7 53. Nxh5 Bxh5 54. Kg2 Kf7 55. Kf2 Nc8 56. Bd2 Nd6 57. b4 Ke7 58. bxa5 bxa5 59. Be3 Nb7 60. Bb3 Kd6 61. Bc4 Nd8 62. Be2 Be8 63. Bd1 Bg6 64. Kf3 Ne6 65. g4 Bf7 66. Bc2 Kc6 67. Kg3 c4 68. h5 Ng5 69. Bxg5 fxg5 70. Kf3 ½ : ½

居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) (left) vs. 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) (right). Photo: cca.imsa.cn.

居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) is the 17th Women’s World Champion in chess history and China’s sixth Women’s World Champion. Photo: cca.imsa.cn.

麻辣火鍋 (Chóngqìng Hot Pot)

In the post-game press conference, moderated by the press attaché 谷笑冰 (Gǔ Xiàobīng) (left) as usual, 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) (centre) admitted that the opening did not fit with her preparation, which caused her to gradually fall into a not easy situation, culminated in her refusal to repeat moves. 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) (right) took her chances and reached an ending two Pawns up, which, however, fortunately — as 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) said — “could not be won”. On the other hand, 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) is only half happy: “Black has always kept the upper hand, but extreme accuracy was necessary to achieve an eventual win. And indeed, I wasn’t able to find a way to win”. In the end, they both don’t complain about the game’s result. 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) said: “I play for the win all the time. From Black’s viewpoint, it’s a very satisfying result”. 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) thinks that “It’s quite a normal result”. Tomorrow is the last free day before the final high noon. How shall they spend it? 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) — who is leading by one point — will castle on her hotel room, collecting her energies for Friday. Instead, 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) — who must win at all costs to score the equaliser — will search for distractions and pleasures: “I might go out to eat a 麻辣火鍋 (Chóngqìng hot pot)”. On the eve of their last classical game, both 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) and 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) are quite tired, but still strong enough to keep each other in check. “I guessed it was stressful, but in some moments I feared that I had to go to the hospital”, 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) joked. She is aware that Friday might be her last day as Women’s World Champion: “At the moment my prospects are not too good and furthermore I will play Black. But be sure I’ll do my best”. Finally 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn), just like a Queen, said with her usual modesty: “I will continue enjoying chess games, even my last one — without too much thinking”. Photo: 樊璐璐 (Fán Lùlù).

Nothing is Forever

谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) – 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn)
Women’s World Chess Championship match game 9; 重庆 (Chóngqìng), May 16, 2018
Nimzo-Indian Defence E37

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 Ne4 7. Qc2 c5 8. dxc5 Nc6 9. Nf3 Qa5+ 10. Bd2 Nxd2 11. Qxd2 dxc4 12. Qxa5 Nxa5 13. e3. If 13. Rc1 then 13. ... b5 14. cxb6 Bb7 15. bxa7 Rxa7 16. Ne2 Ke7 17. Nc3 Rb8 18. f3 Bc6 19. Nd1 Ba4 20. Nc3 Bc6 21. Nd1 Ba4 22. Nc3 Bc6 ½ : ½ 赵雪 (Zhào Xuě) – 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán), Women’s Grand Prix 2013–2014, sixth stage, Sharjah 2014. 13. ... b5!? The alternative 13. ... Bd7 can be regarded as one of the most sure ways towards a draw: 14. Nd2 Rc8 15. Nxc4 Nxc4 16. Bxc4 Rxc5 17. Bd3 Ke7 18. Ke2 Rhc8 19. Rad1 ½ : ½ Hort – Taimanov, October Revolution 50th Anniversary Chess Tournament, Leningrad 1967. From a theoretical standpoint, however, it might be better: 13. ... Nb3 14. Rd1 c3! as 15. bxc3? Nxc5 would lead to an advantageous ending for Black, Morcken – Porreca, 9th Chess Olympiad, Dubrovnik 1950. 14. cxb6 axb6 15. Nd2 b5 16. a4 Nb7 17. Ra3 Rxa4 18. Rxa4 bxa4 19. Bxc4 Bd7 20. Ne4. 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) plays with fire, probably because she desperately needs to win. 20. b3(!) seems much simpler, forcing the exchange of Pawns on b3 with equality. 20. ... Ke7 21. Ke2 Rb8 (Δ ... Nb7-a5) 22. Rb1 Bc6 23. Nc3 Nc5 24. f3 f5 25. Kd2 g5 26. Be2 h5 27. Kc2 g4 28. Rd1 Rg8 29. Rd4 gxf3 30. Bxf3 Bxf3 31. gxf3 Rg2+ 32. Rd2 Rg1 33. Rd4!? Still 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) pushes onward, almost risking being defeated. Objectively speaking, White had nothing better than repeating moves by 33. Rd1 (33. ... Rg2+ 34. Rd2). 33. ... Rf1 34. Nxa4 e5 35. Rh4 Rf2+ 36. Kd1 Nxa4 37. Rxa4 Rxf3 38. Ke2 Rh3 39. Ra6 Rxh2+ 40. Kf3 Rh3+!? 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn)’s second, 倪华 (Ní Huá), then suggested that 40. ... h4! might have offered Black far more winning chances, without running into the devilishly stalemate trap. It is hard, however, to blame 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) for playing such a natural move on the last move of the time control. 41. Kf2 Rh2+ 42. Kg3 Re2 43. Kf3 Rxb2 44. Rh6 Rh2. 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) must have felt good, but a fresh surprise awaits her...

45. e4!! A fantastic resource which ensures White a draw, in spite of her two Pawns less. From a psychological point of view, it’s a good half-point for 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí), who tomorrow will have to play all out for a win. 45. ... Rh4. The pretty pointe was 45. ... f4 46. Re6+! Kxe6 stalemate. 46. exf5 Rf4+ 47. Ke3 Rxf5 48. Ke4 Rg5. This is a theoretical draw, which, of course, 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) is able to demonstrate even on the board. 49. Ra6 Kf7 50. Ra7+ Kg6 51. Ra6+ Kg7 52. Ra7+ Kh6 53. Ra8 Rg7 54. Kxe5 Kg5 55. Ke4 Kg4 56. Ke3 Kg3 57. Ke2 Kg2 58. Rh8 Re7+ 59. Kd2 Re5 60. Rg8+ Kh3 61. Rg7 h4 62. Rg8 Kh2 63. Rg4 h3 64. Rg8 Re6 65. Rg7 Re8 66. Rg6 Ra8 67. Ke2 Ra2+ 68. Kf1 Rg2 69. Rf6 Rg5 70. Rf2+ Kh1 71. Rf6 Rg1+ 72. Kf2 Rg2+ 73. Kf1 h2 74. Rf8 Rg1+ 75. Kf2 Rg2+ 76. Kf1 Ra2 77. Rf7 Ra1+ 78. Kf2 Ra2+ 79. Kf1 Ra1+ 80. Kf2 Ra2+ ½ : ½.

谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) (left) vs. 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) (right). Referee Anastasia Sorokina is walking in the background. Photo: qipai.org.cn.

居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) closing her eyes to clear her mind. Photo: qipai.org.cn.

谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) pouring the coffee into her cup to stay awake. Photo: qipai.org.cn.

Comma Chameleon

After the 8th game of the “莱茵体育杯” (“Lander Sports Cup”) Women’s World Chess Championship showdown, 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) (centre) still leads 4½ – 3½, but the challenger missed today a big opportunity to end the match. 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) (right) appeared for the start of the game as radiant as ever, after enjoying the laziness of her free day in her comfortable hotel room. She calmly hanged her jacket and sat down, with her cup of coffee next to her. On the contrary, 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) seated with closed eyes as usual, performing her ritual to clear her mind, to empty her thoughts of everything except her Schachnovelle. They both gave the game an unusual shape, so as to improvise rather than act. Amid complications, Black pushed a bit too hard, but, on her turn, White missed quite a crystal clear refutation at the 27th move. In the post-game press conference, both 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) and 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) exchanged enthusiastically their views on their reciprocal “blind spot”, and, finally, 重庆 (Chóngqìng)’s girl succeeded in persuading the press attaché 谷笑冰 (Gǔ Xiàobīng) (left) that everything simple is true: “I really didn't see it”. Finally, 谷笑冰 (Gǔ Xiàobīng) asked them, “Who are the male players you most admire?”. They smiled mischievously. 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) was asked to answer first. She thought for a moment, then smilingly said: “丁立人 (Dīng Lìrén)”. 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) thought a little longer, and after a deep breath she named Kramnik. Just immediately, 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) specified that she only named her “number one” in China, while the player she most admires in the world is Kasparov. Well, keep in mind that not always only one answer is correct. Photos: qipai.org.cn.

That Said

居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) – 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí)
Women’s World Chess Championship match game 8; 重庆 (Chóngqìng), May 15, 2018
Queen’s Gambit Declined D30

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Bg5 f6 5. Bf4 g5 6. Bxb8 Rxb8 7. e3 Bd6!? This seems to be an improvement over 7. ... g4 8. Nfd2 e5!? as after 9. Nc3 dxc4? (9. ... exd4!? 10. exd4 Bg7!?) 10. Bxc4 b5 11. Qb3! Black fell into serious trouble, James – Fowler, 94th British Chess Championship, Great Yarmouth 2007. 8. Nc3 Nh6 9. Be2 0-0 10. Qc2 Bd7 11. e4 dxe4 12. Nxe4 Bb4+ 13. Nc3 g4 14. Nd2 Be8. Black might even temporarily sacrifice a Pawn by 14. ... e5!? 15. dxe5 Bf5 in order to make something of her very slight development lead. 15. Nb3 Bg6 16. Bd3 f5 17. 0-0-0 Qg5+ 18. Kb1 Rfe8 19. c5 Bxc3 20. Qxc3 Rbd8 21. Rhe1 Nf7 22. Bc4 Qf6 23. f4 gxf3 24. gxf3 b5. 24. ... f4+ 25. Ka1 (25. Bd3 e5!) 25. ... b5 was playable and good. 25. Bd3 e5. 25. ... f4(!) soonly followed by ... e6-e5 would have probably avoided much controversy. 26. dxe5 Rxe5? This error could cost 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) the match! Volens nolens, 26. ... Nxe5 was called for, as after 27. f4 Ng4 28. Rxe8+ Bxe8 29. Qe1 Bf7 30. h3 Nh6 Black is worse but not lost.

27. Bc2? 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) misses her big chance – maybe an unrepeatable one – to win the game and almost end the match by 27. Rxe5! Nxe5 (or 27. ... Qxe5 28. Qxe5 Nxe5 29. Bc4++−) 28. f4 Ng4 29. Qxf6 Nxf6 30. Bc4+! Nd5 31. Bxd5 cxd5 32. Nd4 with an easily won ending. 27. ... f4! 28. Rxd8+ Qxd8 29. Bxg6 Rxe1+ 30. Qxe1 hxg6 31. Qe4 Qf6 32. Nd4 Ne5 ½ : ½.

居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) (left) vs. 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) (right). Photo: 张晓露 (Zhāng Xiǎolù).

花椒 (Zanthoxylum)

In her last press conference, 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) reassured everyone that she was perfectly capable of adapting to the spicy 四川 (Sìchuān) peppered cuisine of 重庆 (Chóngqìng): “As a professional one must be flexible. The restaurant of the hotel serves a variety of different foods every day, I feel pretty good”. The free day has just ended. They both didn’t have clear ideas on how they would have spent it. “The hotel is a little far from the centre. What can I do?”, 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) smilingly said. 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn), apparently, had more ambitious plans: “I want to walk outside and relax”. But today is another day. So, the 8th game of the “莱茵体育杯” (“Lander Sports Cup”) Women’s World Chess Championship match will be staged at 上邦 (Shàngbāng) International Hot Spring Hotel in 九龙坡区 (Jiǔlóngpō District), 重庆 (Chóngqìng), on May 15 at 15,00 China Standard Time (CST).