Hou Yifan from China wins Women World Chess Championship

Hou Yifan defeats reigning world champion Maria Muzychuk from Ukraine, earning 1 point to surpass the winning margin of 5.5 points and end the 10-game match before the schedule in Ukraine's western city of Lviv, March 14, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

LVIV, Ukraine - The 22-year-old Chinese chess star Hou Yifan on Monday has been crowned the new world champion after winning the Women World Chess Championship final match, held in Ukraine's western city of Lviv.

In Game 9, which was staged at the Potostky Palace, Hou defeated reigning world champion Maria Muzychuk from Ukraine, earning 1 point to surpass the winning margin of 5.5 points and end the 10-game match before the schedule.

Speaking during the press conference after the match, Hou said she was very happy to return her world champion title, pointing that she is not going to rest on our laurels and already draws plans for the future.

"After this match, like in 10 days, I will have a qualifying tournament in Norway. This is the qualifying for the Stavanger tournament to be held in April. And also this summer I supposed to graduate from the University and I also need to prepare for my graduation paper. Besides, I am also hoping to participate in some other chess events coming this year," Hou said.

For her part, Muzychuk, who looked frustrated after the match, thanked her team for the assistance and pledged to intensify the efforts in preparations for future tournaments.

"The single desire is not enough to win the match as it turned out. During the last 10 months of preparations, I had so many issues which were distracting me and it reflected on me. I will try next time to do improvements," Muzychuk said.