Kosteniuk Wins First Game Against Yifan

The first game of the Women's World Championship Final ended in victory for Alexandra Kosteniuk (pictured) with the black pieces against her younger adversary, Hou Yifan. 

In a closed Ruy Lopez, Kosteniuk seized control on the King-side and took advantage of weaknesses on the dark squares and the backward white pawn at f3.  Yifan struggled on, but had to concede defeat on move 48 when facing unanswerable checkmate threats.

A good start for the Russian, which leaves Yifan on the back foot for game 2 of the 4-game final.