GM Hou Yifan’s victory in the 9th game of the Women’s World Chess Championship 2016 helped her clinch the match with a game to go. It was a dominating performance by the Chinese GM as she overcame GM Mariya Muzychuk with a 6-3 scoreline. Such was Hou Yifan’s dominance that she went unbeaten throughout the event.
Hou Yifan opened the 9th game with 1.e4. Trailing 5-3 in the match, Mariya justifiably went for the Sicilian Defence, aiming for a complicated duel. Although the opening battle ended satisfactorily for Mariya, she was unable to create enough complications later in the game. In the endgame, Hou Yifan played some immaculate chess and outplayed her opponent with ease. Mariya resigned on move 46 and Hou Yifan was crowned the new Women’s World Champion.