Women's World Championship Underway

The 2011 Women's World Championship between champion Hou Yifan and challenger Humpy Koneru got underway in Tirana, Albania today.

Humpy Koneru had the white pieces in the first game, and as the opening moves were played at 15:00 local time (14:00 UTC) a Catalan opening developed.

White achieved a measure of pressure and eventually won a pawn, but the champion navigated her way to a drawish rook and pawn ending which she successfully held for a draw.

Drawing lots for colours at the opening ceremony

Cheers! May the best woman win!

The official website has live video coverage. Screenshots from game one are below.

The overhead camera gives a clear view of the board

Humpy Koneru could not overcome the champion's defences in game 1

The champion Hou Yifan knows a draw is coming soon

Hou Yifan will have the white pieces tomorrow in game 2. 

The total prize fund is 200,000 euros, with the main match sponsor being Taci Oil International.

The time control is 40 moves in 90 minutes, then 30 minutes to finish the game, with a 30 second increment from the start.

If the scores are level after 10 games there will be a 4-game rapid match to determine the champion. If scores are still level, there will be up to 5 pairs of blitz games before a final sudden-death game.  The full schedule can be found here.

The full FIDE match regulations are here. Opening ceremony pictures from FIDE.