2011 Women's World Chess Championship

FIDE have confirmed the venue and dates of the 2011 Women's World Championship.

Reigning champion Hou Yifan of China will face Humpy Koneru of India in a 10-game match in Tirana, Albania from 13-30 November 2011.

Hou Yifan became the youngest ever women's world champion in December 2010 at the age of 16 after narrowly missing out to Alexandra Kosteniuk in September 2008, when aged just 14!

Humpy Koneru won the right to challenge Hou Yifan thanks to her performance in the 2009/10 Women's Grand Prix series.

Hou Yifan (left) of China will be challenged by Humpy Koneru (right) from India

PRESS RELEASE

The FIDE is pleased to inform that the Women’s World Chess Championship Match 2011 will take place in Tirana, Albania from the 13^th (arrival) to the 30^th of November (possible tie-breaks) 2011.

The prize fund offered to the players is 200,000 euros. The sponsor of the match is Taci Oil International: http://www.taci-oil.com/en/index.html, headed by Mr Rezart Taci.

The regulations of the Match are published in FIDE Handbook: http://www.fide.com/fide/handbook.html?id=146&view=article.

Contact details of the Organizing committee's office:

1. Mr Ermal Hamzaj: ehamzaj@armorefinery.com

2. Mrs Edlira Cimbi: ecimbi@yahoo.com

3. Mrs Anastasiya Karlovich (FIDE press officer): nkarlovich@yahoo.co.uk

4. Mr Argiris Kotsis (webmaster): akotsis@hol.gr