Chinese Championship 2012 – Two teens lead
4/4/2012 – It is a sign of the times that a national championship as strong as that of China has four teenagers out of eleven players, two of whom are in the clear lead. 19-year-old Ding Liren is close to winning his third title, followed closely by 17-year-old Yu Yangyi, whom he faces in the next round. During the rest day, Hou Yifan gave a simul, interview, and even had a statue inaugurated in her honor.
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2012 Chinese Championship – Two teens lead
2012 China Chess Individual Championships take place from 26th March to 7th April 2012 in Xinghua, Jiangsu Province, China. The top eight qualifiers will play for China Chess Championship 2013. The last four players will play China Chess Championship 2013 Group B. It is eleven rounds at 90 minutes for the whole game with an addition of 30 seconds per move starting from move one.
Ding Liren has continued his rampage with 6.5/8 and a 2821 performance, and is very close to winning his third national title, an incredible feat considering he is only 19 and the Chinese championship is nothing to scoff at. Contrary to last year when none were able to provide serious resistance to his title run, 17-year-old Yu Yangyi has also made his comeback, and is now within a half-point of the leader at 6.0/8.
He won his seventh round game with a nice tactical flourish against Li Shilong.
Yu Yangyi will have his best chance to wrest the title from Liren in round eight when they face each other. Expect fireworks.
Hou Yifan has often had difficulties in her homeland in these men's events, possibly because the very tactical styles of most Chinese players is a poor match for her own. Nevertheless, the young superstar was strongly sought out during the rest day after round six, and she also gave a simul to children.
It is a sign of just how large her prestige is, as she has this statue inaugurated in her honor
Hou Yifan gave a simul during her rest day
The reigning Women World champion poses with the children from her simul
Local television networks wasted no time in interviewing her
The young star was beset by fans and admirers
Men's standings after eight rounds
In the women's championship, both WGM Huang Qian and WGM Zhang Xiaowen lead with 6.0/8.
Pictures by Fan Lulu and Yang Lei
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