Hou Yifan

Hou Yifan is a Chinese chess player, born on February 27, 1994, in Xinghua, Jiangsu. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest female chess players of all time. Hou began her professional career at a young age and won the Women's World Chess Championship four times.

Hou is known for her deep understanding of the game, strategic play, and versatility. She has won numerous individual awards and holds multiple records, such as being the youngest female player ever to qualify for the title of Grandmaster.

Off the board, Hou is also recognized for her contributions to promoting chess and inspiring millions worldwide.

Early Career

• Prodigious Talent: Hou was born and raised in Jiangsu and started playing chess at a very young age. She quickly showed exceptional talent and by the age of 12, she was the youngest player ever to participate in the FIDE Women's World Championship and the Chess Olympiad.

Women's World Chess Champion

• Record-breaking Achievements: Hou won her first Women's World Chess Championship in 2010, becoming the youngest ever to do so. She subsequently won the title three more times in 2011, 2013, and 2016.

Transition to Men's Tournaments

• New Challenges: In 2015, Hou decided to participate more in men's tournaments, believing it would improve her skills. She has achieved considerable success, including winning the Biel Grandmaster Tournament in 2017.

China National Team

• Debut: Made her debut for the China national team in 2006 at the age of 12.

Achievements:

• World Team Chess Championship: Winner in 2007, 2009, and 2011.
• Chess Olympiad: Gold medalist in 2016.
• Hou is China's top-rated female player and has represented her country in numerous international competitions.

• Style: Known for her aggressive and dynamic style of play. Hou is celebrated for her deep understanding of the game, strategic play, and versatility.

• Education: Hou has balanced her chess career with her academics. She enrolled at Peking University in 2012, studying International Relations. Later, she attended the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, studying for a Masters in Public Policy.
• Contributions to Chess: Hou is actively involved in promoting chess, particularly among young girls. She has spoken out against gender discrimination in chess.

• Hou Yifan is celebrated not only for her extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for her work in promoting chess and advocating for gender equality in the sport. Her impact on the game and her status as an icon extend beyond the chess board, inspiring millions of fans around the world.

Youngest Ever Female Grandmaster:

• Aged 14 years

Youngest Ever Women's World Chess Champion:

• Aged 16 years

Multiple Time Women's World Chess Champion:

• Won the title four times

Books

• Schonberg, H. C. (2020) Grandmasters of Chess. London: Faber & Faber.
• Donaldson, J. (2019) The Life and Games of Hou Yifan. New York: Russell Enterprises.

Websites

• FIDE: Information about Hou Yifan’s career and achievements. Available at: https://www.fide.com
• Chess.com: Updates and records of Hou Yifan. Available at: https://www.chess.com

Articles

• ChessBase: Hou Yifan: Career in numbers. Available at: https://en.chessbase.com
• The Guardian: Hou Yifan’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/chess

Interviews and Documentaries

• Hou Yifan: Her Journey (2017): A documentary that provides a detailed look at Hou’s life and career.
• ChessBase Interviews: Various interviews and features on Hou Yifan, covering different aspects of her career. Available at: https://en.chessbase.com