Hou Yifan Pulling Away in China

A second win as Black has widened GM Hou Yifan's lead over GM Anna Ushenina in the 2013 Women's World Championship Match in Taizhou, China. The challenger drew an uneventful game in round two but won convincingly in round three.

Hou Yifan again used the Nimzo-Indian but won in only 24 moves, as opposed to her opening-round win, which at least lasted until just after the time control (41 moves).

In round two, the pair played to a draw in the Sveshnikov after Ushenina's minority attack effectively cleared out all the queenside pawns.

The women are playing a 10-game match, with the first to 5.5 winning the title. They will play two games, have a rest day, then repeat. Hou Yifan has White today.