Who’s That Girl

Four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) is heartily enjoying her studies at Oxford. Photos: 龚哲浩 (Gōng Zhéhào).

TGIF

But, of course, the most important news today is that four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) is among the MPPers who happily did with four exams, as she herself announced on her 新浪微博 (Sina Wēibó) microblogging account: “TGIF Four consecutive days of examinations passed. Although the Trinity Term is about to commence, the mood is still the same as in the third picture from above. Next weekend — change of identity. Still chess and distant place”. It’s worth remembering that 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán), undisputedly the world’s No. 1 woman player, is studying for a Master of Public Policy (MPP) at the University of Oxford, thanks to a Rhodes Scholarship. Photos: 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán)/新浪微博 (Sina Wēibó).

A Queen is never late, everyone else is simply early

Rhodes Trust CEO Dr. Elizabeth Kiss (first row, centre), Rhodes China Programme Director 汤玫捷 (Tāng Méijié) (half-head behind Dr. Kiss, centre), Director of Strategy and Development Alasdair Maclay (second row, third from right), four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) (three heads above Dr. Kiss, centre) as well as other Rhodes Scholars meet with the heads of 上海科技大学 (ShànghǎiTech University), including President 江绵恒 (Jiāng Miánhéng) (first row, third from left), Provost and Vice President 印杰 (Yìn Jié) (first row, second from left), Vice President 鲁雄刚 (Lǔ Xiónggāng), Vice Provost 江舸 (Jiāng Gě) and other deans on March 21, 2019 in 上海 (Shànghǎi), China. For an “official” account of the diplomatic visit by the Rhodes Trust delegation to China (17–22 March) visit: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/. Photo: 上海科技大学 (ShànghǎiTech University).

Watching the Wheels

In the meantime, in Belgrade, on the second and final day of the mixed doubles match China–Europe, the Dragon, led by four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) (pictured above), defeated the Old Continent by 5½–2½. The match, sponsored by the Chinese tire manufacturing enterprise Linglong Tire, was held in the breathtaking interiors of the Palace of Serbia (see picture below). The empty chairs and the missing painting on the wall are presumably coincidental. Photos: International Mind Sports Association (IMSA).

Mind Games

侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) & 温阳 (Wēn Yáng) – Mariya Olehivna Muzychuk & Dmitry Vladimirovich Andreikin
Linglong Tire Cup 2019 (25+10); Belgrade, March 29, 2019
Sicilian Defence B41

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. g3 d5 6. Nb3. Less convincing is 6. e5 on account of 6. ... Nc6 7. f4 Nxd4! 8. Qxd4 Ne7 and Black stands well, Giustolisi – Flesch, 27th Hoogovens II, Beverwijk 1965. 6. ... Nf6 7. exd5 exd5 8. Bg2 Be7 9. 0-0 0-0 10. Nc3 Be6 11. Bg5 Nc6 12. Nd4 Nxd4 13. Qxd4 h6 14. Be3 Rc8 15. Qd3 Qd7 16. Rad1 b5 17. Bd4 b4. Blacks simplify the game, but leave Whites with a dangerous positional initiative. Instead, 17. ... Bf5! followed by ... Nf6-e4 seems to fully equalise. 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Nxd5 Bxb2 20. Qxa6 Bxd5 21. Bxd5 Rxc2 22. Bb3 Rd2. If 22. ... Qc6 then 23. Qa7! Rc5 24. Rd7 Rf5 25. Rfd1 and Whites seem to stand pretty good. 23. Rxd2 Qxd2 24. Rd1 Qg5 25. Rd7 Qf5 26. Qb7 Bc3 27. Kg2 g5 28. Qc6 Kg7

29. a4! Be1? Doubtless both Whites and Blacks could have played better earlier, but this is certainly Blacks’ last and most decisive mistake. 30. f3! Qe5 31. Qc4 Qb2+ 32. Kh3 Qf6 33. Qd5 h5 34. Rd6 Qe7. Alas for Blacks, 34. ... g4+!? 35. fxg4 Qf1+ 36. Kh4 Qf4! (Δ ... Qf4xg4#) doesn’t work, due to 37. Qg5+ forcing the exchange of Queens and a winning ending. 35. Qd4+ Kh7 36. Bc2+ Kg8 37. Rh6 f6 38. Rg6+ Kf7 39. Bf5 g4+ 40. Kh4 gxf3 41. Rh6 Rg8 42. Rh7+ Rg7 43. Qd5+ 1 : 0.

侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) & 温阳 (Wēn Yáng) vs. Mariya Olehivna Muzychuk & Dmitry Vladimirovich Andreikin. Photos: International Mind Sports Association (IMSA).

A Game of Thrones

Four-time Women’s World Chess Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) entertains a fellow Rhodes Scholar on occasion of the visit of the Rhodes Trust delegation to 北京 (Běijīng) Queen’s Wing Chess Club on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Photos: Kumeren Govender.

地底旅行 (Journey to the Centre of the Earth)

The value of the recent diplomatic visit of the Rhodes Trust delegation to China, aimed to consolidate mutual relations after a large-scale launch of the Rhodes Scholarships for China in 2015, can be summed up with four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán)’s own words: “Visiting a number of institutions in 北京 (Běijīng) and 上海 (Shànghǎi), from legal to NGOs, from educational to investment fund, from colleges to national chess clubs, the ten-day trip was very tiring but very fulfilling”, she wrote on her 新浪微博 (Sina Wēibó) microblogging account. “Like in an adventure journey, foreign scholars could enjoy a less stereotyped view of real China; and as for me, through this ‘self-cultivation’, I could recognise the fertile soil in which I’ve grown up”. Photos: 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán)/新浪微博 (Sina Wēibó).

蜘蛛女之吻 (Kiss of the Spider Woman)

Dr. Elizabeth Kiss, CEO of the Rhodes Trust, will be in 香港 (Hong Kong), 上海 (Shànghǎi), and 北京 (Běijīng) until Friday, within the framework of her visit to China (17–22 March 2019), aimed to consolidate relations between China and the Rhodes Trust after a large-scale launch of the Rhodes Scholarships for China in 2015. Read the official press release here.

Four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) is currently studying for a Master of Public Policy (MPP) at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom. Credit: Rhodes Trust press release of March 13, 2019.

One Way or Another

Four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) participating at the annual Retreat for First Year Scholars, this year themed and entitled “No One Way To Lead”, which took place at Rhodes House, University of Oxford, from March 9–11, 2018. Pre-reading material available here. Photos: Rhodes Trust (@RhodesTrust).

Bread and Roses

Four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) poses for a group picture with her fellow MMP students on their “day of action” at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on March 12 in Camberley, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe. The caption enthusiastically reads, “It was a chance for everyone to engage in team building activities after six months of MPP!”. Photo: Blavatnik School of Government (@BlavatnikSchool).

布拉瓦尼克政府學院 (Blavatnik School of Government)

Four-time Women’s World Chess Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) wrote her own remarkable curriculum for her class at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, where, thanks to a Rhodes Scholarship, she’s studying for a Master of Public Policy (MPP). Suffice it to say that it is a worth reading.

侯逸凡 (HÓU YÌFÁN) MPP STUDENT, CHINESE I graduated from Peking University (PKU), with a degree in International Studies, majoring in Diplomacy. Besides being a student, I am a four-time Women’s World Chess Championship and currently the number one female player in the world. As the Special Adviser of the Commission for Women’s Chess (WOM) and member of Chess in Shools Commission (CIS) under the World Chess Federation (FIDE), I am not only involved with related policy-making, but also promoted the chess industry and encouraged underpriviliged children to follow their dreams. At the 95th Anniversary of the May 4th Movement, hosted by PKU, I was the sole undergraduate representative to meet and report to President 习近平 (Xí Jìnpíng). Lately, I have worked at the Breakthrough Prize Foundation, assisting with Chinese Market launching and social media strategy. I am excited about my prospects in the Education domain and related policy area at the global level and looking forward to meeting like-minded people in the MPP class.

禮儀 (Etiquette)

But life is not a checkerboard. Thus, pictured above, first from left, is four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) (seated on the left row, wearing glasses) giving an etiquette lesson for newcomers at the Coming Up Dinner 2018 held at Rhodes House last November 16. Photo: Rhodes Trust.

Fashion Seasons

But life doesn’t end with chess, and new meanings may always be created as the fashion seasons come and go. Thus, pictured above, first from left, is four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) featuring her new fall/winter collection on the runway of the Coming Up Dinner 2018 held at Rhodes House last November 16. Photo: Rhodes Trust.

The Geographies of Fashion

If, as they say, life is a journey and not a destination, it is no wonder that not all planes arrive at the same time. And then, pictured above, is — was — four-time Women’s World Chess Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) enjoying the Rhodes Scholars Welcome Day to the University of Oxford and Rhodes House on September 30, 2018 or so. Photos: Rhodes Trust (@RhodesTrust).

Yes, Edna, since he is not able to read, you rightly put an unwritten sign to say “do not disturb”

Autumn 2018 Collection

Chess stars may even be temperamental, but not everyone disappears without a good reason. So, pictured above and below, is four-time Women’s World Chess Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) attending the Welcome Tea for Rhodes Scholars on October 3, 2018 at the University of Oxford, where she’d been awarded a scholarship to study for a Master’s Degree in Education. Photos: Rhodes Trust (@rhodes_trust).

Studying Abroad

Four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) (third from right) poses for a group picture at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, where, thanks to a Rhodes Scholarship, she’s studying for a Master of Public Policy (MPP). Photo: 龚哲浩 (Gōng Zhéhào).

Catch a Star

@滿足滿族 (Fulfilled Manchu)

The caption reads: “Catch a star: a pretty low-key girl”. And so, pictured above on the right, is four-time Women’s World Chess Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán), who was recently awarded, along with three other straight-A students, the Rhodes Scholarship at the University of Oxford, where she will study for a Master’s Degree in Education, starting in autumn 2018. Photo & caption: 滿足滿族 (Fulfilled Manchu).

The Varsity Match

Since 1873 the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge have already played 135 Varsity (chess) Matches, and Oxford is leading overall. So, it’s quite natural to guess that both the University of Oxford and the Oxford University Chess Club will take advantage of its newly student 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) (pictured below right), who was just awarded the Rhodes Scholarship for 2018. Photos: sports.sina.com.cn.

Cakes, Pastries and Biscuits

学霸!2017罗德学者侯逸凡上榜 年享3万镑奖学金 | Straight-A student: Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) will enjoy a scholarship of £30,000 pounds yearly, cnhubei.com, December 5, 2017

So, it’s happened. Four-time Women’s World Chess Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) was awarded, along with three other straight-A students, the Rhodes Scholarship, one of the most selective in the world, which means about £30,000 pounds per school year (up to a maximum of four years) for funding her study degree at the University of Oxford. As previously reported, 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) graduated from the Peking University International Relations will study for a Master’s Degree in Education, focusing on children’s development.

侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán). Credit: cnhubei.com.