Hou Yifan Shines at 2025 Global Chess League as Alpine SG Pipers Claim Title
Hou Yifan, the women's world No 1 and all-time No 2 female player behind Judit Polgar, made a rare appearance at the 2025 Global Chess League final held in Mumbai. Playing for the Alpine SG Pipers, she helped the team defeat the defending champions, Triveni Continental Kings, with a decisive 8.5-3.5 score to win the league's third season. The Global Chess League is modeled as the chess equivalent of the IPL and continues to grow in prominence.
Hou Yifan showcased exceptional skill by winning four consecutive games during the event, including a notable 20-move miniature that secured Alpine's place in the final. In the final, she drew both games against Zhu Jiner, who is currently ranked No 2 by FIDE, ahead of Ju Wenjun.
In addition to Hou Yifan's performance, Anish Giri defeated Wei Yi 2-0 in the same final. These two are set to face off again in March in the eight-player World Title Candidates tournament, where Giri notably opened one game with the unconventional 7 h2-h4 move.
Outside the league, the World Rapid Championship commenced in Doha with Magnus Carlsen as the top seed, and the World Blitz Championship alongside the traditional Hastings congress are also upcoming events noted for future coverage.
Hou Yifan, who studied at Oxford University, is currently semi-retired from competitive chess, focusing on her role as a professor at Peking University.
