Women's Champs: Ushenina Loses Round One With White

Buona sera Chesskids! It's World Championship Match time for the ladies, and I can't believe it, but Anna Ushenina has lost with White! So far the score is .5 to 2.5 in favor of her challenger, Hou Yifan. Hou Yifan was World Champion before, remember, at only 16 years old - the youngest ever! By Mrs Jessica E Prescott (aka BoundingOwl).

We are going to start at a position where no one has crossed the line of scrimmage. Before looking for a good move, let's just evaluate the position.

Material is even.
Both kings appear safe.
White has a small space advantage.
Both sides have pawn weaknesses. (Backward pawns on a3 and d6.)
Neither side has a coordinated attack just yet.

Both sides would like to coordinate their army and get some pieces to better squares. Wait, is that a hanging pawn on a3?

---

----

The next move for White is a little strange, considering the knight on f5 is a "good" knight and the bishop, a "bad" bishop. Still, this is the Women's World Champion playing! I'm sure she had a clear plan.

---

OK you are Black here. Time for you to make another plan! How to attack? Well, look at your "river of pawns." Do you see they are pointing at the king? Never move your f-pawn, unless White can't get in!

---

----

How does Hou Yifan follow this attack up? Right now she is being forked!

----

---

Can you finish it off? Here's a hint: Go for checks! First the knight, then set up the queen, then the bishop, then MATE!

---

---

(Answer: ...Nf3+, ...Qg6-Qh5+, ...Bh3+ and Ushenina resigned in view of ...Bh1 discovered checkmate!)

Who are you rooting for? Ushenina (left) or Hou Yifan (right)?