Trademark Attack – Hou Yifan at the Jubilee-Open

Hou Yifan

It is not unusual for promising young players taking part in events of the “Schachgesellschaft Zürich” to go on to reach the heights of world chess. Bobby Fischer, who played the 150th anniversary tournament in 1959, became World Chess Champion in 1972. Will the young Hou Yifan step into his shoes? Nobody knows. But she has already come a long way: At only 15, she is Women's World Chess Vice Champion, has the men’s Grandmaster title and is close to Elo 2600. Further, she is No. 22 on the Zurich Jubilee-Open’s registration list which includes more than 40 grandmasters and over 100 titled players. On guard, then, if you are sitting across from a cheerful young lady with two barrettes! Attacking play is another of Hou Yifan’s trademarks, and a skill with which top grandmasters like Short, Vallejo Pons and Sasikiran are already painfully familiar.

We'd like to thank New Voice International AG  and Hotel Seehof, part of Meili Unternehmungen in Zurich, for their generous support which allowed us to invite Hou Yifan to the Jubilee-Open.