Reports | November 17, 2011 19:35

WWCh G3: Hou Yifan scores first win

WWCh G3: Hou Yifan scores first win

Hou Yifan scored the first win in the World Championship match in Tirana, Albania. The Chinese grandmaster, who defends her world title in a match over 10 classical games against Humpy Koneru of India, won the third game with the black pieces.

The start of the third game in Tirana | All photos © FIDE by Anastasiya Karlovich

Event Women's World Championship | PGN via TWIC
Dates November 13th-30th, 2011
Location Tirana, Albania
System 10-game match, tie-break if necessary
Players Reigning World Champion Hou Yifan (China) and Challenger Humpy Koneru (India)
Rate of play 90 minutes for the first 40 moves followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move one

The third game of the Women's World Championship match was an intense and sharp struggle. Humpy Koneru, who played with white pieces, came out of the opening with a slight advantage. The Chinese, though, was precise in her play for queenside and center activity which eventually led to a win for her.

“I took my time to think about taking the pawn on a2”, said Hou Yifan after the game. “My king could get into trouble, but I decided to go for this principled continuation”. “I had a good position, but I wasn't playing good moves”, commented Koneru on her play in the middlegame.

The World Champion could have won earlier on move 25, but in the game she kept a big advantage. Further mistakes from Koneru's side made the game finish very soon.

Game 3

PGN string

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Peter Doggers's picture
Author: Peter Doggers

Founder and editor-in-chief of ChessVibes.com, Peter is responsible for most of the chess news and tournament reports. Often visiting top events, he also provides photos and videos for the site. He's a 1.e4 player himself, likes Thai food and the Stones.

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Comments

Am_b_2's picture

Am_b_2

1 year 7 months ago

Humpy will win next two games.

Septimus's picture

Septimus

1 year 7 months ago

I doubt it. She has fared poorly against Hou. She ha not been playing well lately.

PP (NL)'s picture

PP (NL)

1 year 7 months ago

Based on what?

Mindhunter's picture

Mindhunter

1 year 7 months ago

Hou will win this

daad's picture

daad

1 year 7 months ago

Hou has a great form winning the last two grand prix tourneys she entered. she no doubt has the confidence she is able to win this match.

Arjo's picture

Arjo

1 year 7 months ago

Having the momentum in the first 2 games... and losing the 3th with white... ouch... must be a heavy blow. Humpy better wins a game quickly or this match is over. 10 games is shorter than you think ;-)

Johnny's picture

Johnny

1 year 7 months ago

Yifan is deadly on the Black side of the Ragozin. I remember her brutal mauling of Kosteniuk in the last women's WCC tournament. Except at least Humpy got to castle.

noyb's picture

noyb

1 year 7 months ago

I wonder if either player got a kick-back from NIC for playing the Ragozin... Nice PR for their recently released book. ; )

maybe's picture

maybe

1 year 7 months ago

"Chinese Hou scores for the first time" would have been a more appropriate headline

Jamie's picture

Jamie

1 year 7 months ago

LOL - very nice

Frank Sträter's picture

Frank Sträter

1 year 7 months ago

Kumpy Koneru sounds great, but is a typo

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