After a miraculous escape yesterday, also in the third game of the Women World Championship Final, Hou Yifan managed to draw an ending that seemed completely lost. Alexandra Kosteniuk needs a 4th game to prove that she's the strongest in Nalchik.

Photo: Ilya Akhobekov | ?Ǭ© FIDE

Again Hou Yifan didn't play very convincingly with the white pieces and from a pawn up (with good compensation for Kosteniuk, though) she ended up in an ending with a pawn down. Although she missed a few opportunities to draw the game earlier, the 14-year-old Chinese defended the rook ending superbly to a draw. Here's the fascinating third game of the match:

A few hours after the game Kosteniuk probably still wonders how such a young and slender Chinese body can be packed with so much fighting spirit, but it is the case: Hou Yifan simply refuses to give up without a fight and thus she gained herself a fourth game. A must-win, to reach the tiebreaks, but normally Kosteniuk should be able to score at least a draw with White. If she's able to forget all those missed wins.

A handshake before the third game of the final



Alexandra Kosteniuk concentrating before the start of the game


Hou Yifan writing on her score sheet, surrounded by photographers... Photos Ilya Akhobekov ?Ǭ© FIDE


...yes, many photographers! | Photo Evgeny Atarov ?Ǭ© FIDE

Scores, Final:

Links:

• Official website
• Games in PGN