Hou Yifan Draws Muzychuk

Hou Yifan Draws Muzychuk
By Arvind Aaron

World No.1 Hou Yifan bravely played 1.e4 and took on the open variation of the Ruy Lopez from Mariya Muzychuk of Ukraine.  Hou Yifan drew a pawn down rook ending after 81 moves to lead the 10-match World Women Championship series by 4½-2½ after seven games.

Champion Muzychuk has a near impossible task of bridging a two point deficit in the three remaining games. The event ends March 18 at Lviv in Ukraine.  Hou Yifan needs a win or two draws to wrap up the match. The Chinese was on the defensive in the queenless middlegame on March 11.  Mariya Muzychuk had a good advantage but could not press it into a victory. She is still without a win.