Global Chess League 2024: Interesting facts about Alpine SG Pipers' star Hou Yifan

Despite being in her mid-20s, Hou Yifan is widely regarded as the second-strongest female chess player in history, trailing only Judit Polgar. Among her remarkable achievements are four Women's World Chess Championships, which she won before choosing to step back from the event. A chess prodigy, Hou claimed her first world title at just 16 years old, only three years after becoming the youngest female grandmaster in history.

There’s no doubt that she is the best active female chess player today, but her future in the sport remains uncertain. After earning a master’s degree at Oxford University as a Rhodes scholar, Hou has largely distanced herself from competitive play. In July 2020, she began a full-time position at Shenzhen University, further shifting her focus away from the chessboard.

However, her competitive spirit still shines through in online formats. In 2021 and 2023, she clinched the Women's Speed Chess Championship on Chess.com, defeating GM Harika Dronavalli in the finals both times. Hou Yifan will be competing for the Alpine SG Pipers in the upcoming Global Chess League 2024 starting from 3 October, 2024.