The title returns to Hou

Hou Yifan vs Mariya Muzychuk

Women’s world championship · 2016 · 1-0

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0 / 91 half-moves

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The story behind the moves

A masterpiece, move by move

The ninth and final game of the 2016 championship. Hou’s queenside passed pawns decide a queenless position.

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17. exd5

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A new pawn structure. After the queen and knight exchanges, White’s e-pawn recaptures on d5. White gains central space and later advances the queenside pawns.

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35. Bc5

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Transform the pawn majority. White offers the bishop exchange on c5. After ...Bxc5 and bxc5, White has connected passed pawns on c5 and d5.

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42. d7

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One step from promotion. The passed d-pawn reaches the seventh rank. Black’s rook must block it on d8, while White creates another threat by advancing the a-pawn.