The FIDE Women’s World Chess Championship 2016 took off yesterday in the Ukrainian city of Lviv. Reigning Women’s World Champion GM Mariya Muzychuk is taking on the highest-rated active female player GM Hou Yifan in a match of 10 games. Being the winner of the last Grand Prix cycle, Hou Yifan has gained the right to challenge Mariya for the top laurel in Women’s Chess.
The first game turned out to be a peaceful one. Playing the white side of the Closed Guico Piano opening, Mariya was unable to challenge Hou Yifan’s solid position by any means. With lots of pieces exchanged and a lifeless Queen endgame on board, the players decided to shake hands on move 31.
The second game, to be played today, will witness the two players facing each other with colours reversed.