Hou Yifan loses first game to Karpov in Hainan 'Gender Chess' Match
Chess news and chess trivia blog (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2010
What were XII World Champion Anatoly Karpov and talented youngster Hou Yifan eating in China? (Read further to find out and check www.chesspics.com for great photos of the two players.
Hi Everyone,
Ever tried translating Chinese into English? We did and it was tough! Maybe, as tough as chess itself. But the fun part was the super-duper chess cake. You will love this photo.
There is Hou Yifan one of the strongest women chess players in the world and former World Champion Anatoly Karpov. What they have before them is not a chessboard but a cake. Yes, look carefully. It's so beautiful, could they really bring themselves around to cut it? Your guess is as good as ours.
A special chess match began at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Sanya, Hainan, China, between 16-year-old Hou Yifan and Anatoly Karpov on November 5. The cool part of the event is that hotel guests can meet the two chess players at the venue. The super chocolate cake was prepared by the hotel for the opening ceremony.The Match includes four classic games (with the control 90 +30) and two fast (25 +10). The schedule is as follows: 6, 7, 8, 10 November (Classic), Nov. 11 (Rapid).
Meanwhile, Hou Yifan lost to Karpov in the first match today. Here is the nice game. Enjoy. (Meanwhile, we have to improve our Chinese.)
You can run the moves in our pgnplayer or watch in flash below.
PGN: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. Nc3 Bb4 4.O-O O-O 6. d3 d6 7. Bg5 Bxc3 8. bxc3 Qe7 9. Re1 a6 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. d4 a5 12. Rb1 Qe6 13. a3 Nd7 14. Nh4 f6 15. Bc1 Nb6 16. Nf5 Nc4 17. Ne3 Ba6 18. f4 Nxe3 19. Bxe3 Qc4 20. Qd2 Rae8 21. fxe5 fxe5 22. Bf2 h6 23. h3 Rf7 24. Bg3 Kh7 25. Kh2 Bb5 26. Rbd1 Re6 27. Ra1 Ba4 28. dxe5 dxe5 29. Rac1 Qc5 30. Qe3 Qxe3 31. Rxe3 Rd7 32. Rd3 Rdd6 33. Kg1 Bb5 34. Rdd1 Be2 35. Re1 Rd2 36. Bf2 Bb5 37. Be3 Rd7 38. Rcd1 Red6 39. Rxd6 cxd6 40. Bb6 a4 41. Be3 c5 42. Kf2 Rf7 43. Kg3 Rf6 44. Bd2 Kg8 45. Re3 Bc6 46. Re2 Rf1 47. Be1 Kf7 48. c4 Ke6 49. Bd2 Ra1 50. Re3 Ra2 51. Kf3 Rxc2 52. Bc3 Bb7 53. g3 Ba6 54. Be1 Bxc4 55. Rc3 Be2 56. Ke3 Ra2 57. Bd2 Bf1 58. h4 Bh3 59. Bc1 Bf1 60. Bd2 Kd7 61. Bc1 Kc6 62. Kf3 Be2 63. Ke3 Bh5 64. Bd2 Bg4 65.Kd3 Kb5 66. Ke3 0-1
(That seems no easier than Chinese!)
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
Also see her personal blog at
Labels: Anatoly Karpov, Hou Yifan
posted by Chess Blog Admin @ 11:03 AM
10 Comments:
At November 6, 2010 at 11:50 AM ,
Saira Fernando, Madrid said...
Is that really a cake? Oh boy. i won't be able to sleep tonight dreaming of that cake. Guess it's brown and white chocolate. Yum! Thanks Chess Queen. Your blog really gives me a refreshing high at the end of a tiring day.
At November 6, 2010 at 11:51 AM ,
Anonymous said...
How did they have the heart to cut that cake?
At November 6, 2010 at 11:57 AM ,
Jane Bentley, London said...
That's a cool chess cake I ate in a long time. Any help with Chinese, just mail me Chess Queen! I will email you my id.
At November 6, 2010 at 11:59 AM ,
Anonymous said...
Is Hou Yifan taking lessons from Karpov for World Championship? Ok so we have Carlsen taking lessons from Kasparov and Hou Yifan from karpov - not bad!
At November 6, 2010 at 12:07 PM ,
Anonymous said...
Do they play chess in China?
At November 6, 2010 at 12:17 PM ,
Anonymous said...
Chess pie cutting chess cake ;)
At November 6, 2010 at 12:19 PM ,
Sebastian Wolff, New York said...
I am impressed the way Karpov still continues to play.
At November 6, 2010 at 12:21 PM ,
Biju Thapa, Kathmandu said...
Folks, that was a tough game, just saw it.
At November 7, 2010 at 8:01 AM ,
Jason Hu, Beijing said...
Wow. Where's you find it. It's nowhere available on English chess sites. Glad I check here often. Hail Chess Queen. In any case require any help with Chinese ping me.
At November 7, 2010 at 8:46 AM ,
Anonymous said...
Eat your opponent and eat your chessboard too.
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