Photo: Maria Emelianova (chess.com)

Women’s # 1 Hou Yifan made a winning return to the virtual board in a 2-day rapid tournament Belt and Road 2020 World Chess Women Summit. This rapid chess (15+5) round-robin event took place on chess.com and brought together ten female players including three GMs from the women’s top-10.

Hou Yifan started with a bang scoring four victories in a row right out of the gate. Women’s #1 was in control throughout the tournament distance and despite losing two games to her compatriot Lei Tingjie and Nana Dzagnidze finished clear first a full point ahead of Sarasadat Khademalsharieh and Tan Zhongyi who tied for second.

Final standings:

1. Hou Yifan – 6½
2. Sarasadat Khademalsharieh – 5½
3. Tan Zhongyi – 5½
4. Lei Tingjie – 5
5. Zhansaya Abdumalik – 4½
6. Mariya Muzychuk – 4½
7. Zhao Xue – 3½
8. Antoaneta Stefanova – 3½
9. Nana Dzagnidze – 3½
10. Ekaterina Atalik – 3

The games are available on chess.com.