In 2010, 16-year-old Hou Yifan won the World Women's National Chess Championship, making him the youngest chess queen in history. Ten years later, on July 10, 26-year-old Hou Yifan took over the appointment letter of Shenzhen University and became the youngest full professor at the university. From a chess queen, to a student, to today's professor, Hou Yifan opened every new chapter in his life, which is an extraordinary experience.
< h1 class= "pgc-h-arrow-right" > crossover from chess player to professor</h1>
In the summer of 2019, Hou Yifan returned to China after graduating with a master's degree from Oxford University in the United Kingdom. A few weeks later, a chess event brought Hou Yifan to Shenzhen University. It eventually led to her cross-border transformation from chess player to educator.
When Hou Yifan was contacted by a Beijing headline reporter on July 13, she had already started work at Shenzhen University. Previously, as a chess player, Hou Yifan came to Shenzhen many times, and now as an educator, Hou Yifan is rapidly entering a new role.
Professor Hou Yifan's appointment ceremony
At present, Hou Yifan has not yet started teaching, because the students of the Sports Training Department of the Shenzhen University Physical Education College will not be admitted until this autumn. And Hou Yifan's students are not only professional chess players in chinese chess. "I am also preparing courseware, applying for projects, and planning research plans outside of teaching." Hou Yifan said.
Although she still needs to be familiar with the work, Hou Yifan said that her "cross-border" is well thought out. At the ceremony of accepting the letter of appointment of professors at Shenzhen University, Hou Yifan said: "In recent years, with the introduction of policies related to the integration of sports and education, the diversity of sports has been comprehensively improved. How to better carry out physical education teaching and research and hold events in colleges and universities has also become an indispensable part of the integration of sports and education. It's an honor that I can be a facilitator of that, too. ”
Hou Yifan told the Beiqing-Beijing Headline Reporter that her positioning of her work, in addition to cultivating students, also includes the popularization of chess and how to combine it with youth education. Hou Yifan said that her original intention is to share her understanding and feelings of contact with the national elephant for 20 years with students and the outside world. "I've been playing chess for 20 years. The national elephant became a part of his life. When I came to Shenzhen as a teacher, I hope that my life can be richer, and I also hope to share my own experience and inspire others. In this way, it makes more sense for me to work on the national elephant project. In particular, the state is advocating the integration of sports and education, and in this context, I have more space to do this field. ”
< h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > the leap from North China to Oxford</h1>
Before taking over the letter of appointment as a professor at Shenzhen University, Hou Yifan had already undergone an extraordinary turnaround. As the youngest chess player and the most promising chess player in the field of chess that year, Hou Yifan suddenly chose to go to Peking University to study. In the eyes of the outside world, she not only succeeded in her studies at Peking University, but also won a Rhodes Scholarship and went to Oxford University for further study.
In 2012, 18-year-old Hou Yifan defeated Polja Jr., the first person in the women's chess world, at the Gibraltar Open, where the masters gathered. It was also the first time in 20 years that Polgar Jr. had lost to a female player in a slow chess match. In September of the same year, Hou Yifan became an undergraduate freshman at the School of International Relations of Peking University.
From the hot chess queen to the ordinary college student, Hou Yifan's choice surprised the outside world. Hou Yifan said that it was the choice to study that gave her a new life plan. "Through studying at the School of International Relations at Peking University, I have enhanced my horizons in numerous symposia and exchange activities. Not only did I have the opportunity to meet more experts in different fields and collide ideas with outstanding students from all over the world, but when thinking about future career plans, I also broadened my thinking and included many options that I could not have imagined before enrolling in the "option list", including applying for the "Rhodes Scholarship Program". ”
Hou Yifan used his outstanding results to justify the learning ability of chinese chess players. At the School of International Relations at Peking University, Hou Yifan majored in diplomacy. One of the important reasons is that "the world is like a big chess game, and the complex game in international relations and many truths of chess have certain similarities", Hou Yifan said, she hopes to harvest different sparks of thought in the intersection and collision of two sets of knowledge systems.
During his studies at Peking University, Hou Yifan twice won the first place in the discipline review. This set the stage for her to apply for the Success Rhodes Scholarship in 2017. At Oxford, Hou Chose to Study Public Policy. After studying for several years, her biggest gain is the expansion of her horizons. "Before, when I thought about problems, it was always the perspective of the chess player. Nowadays, in the course of study, I have experienced many group discussions, and when studying the topic, I need to have a more comprehensive examination and avoid preconceptions. Hou Yifan said.
From Peking University to Oxford University, Hou Yifan, like ordinary students, faces the pressure of coursework and heavy academic work. "Including getting stuck writing papers, time allocation will also run into problems. In these stressful environments, I am also learning how to coordinate these problems and not affect my life. I also found that when I discussed academic issues, I also thought of using it in chess. ”
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > a crossover that leaves the comfort zone</h1>
Looking back at his studies, Hou Yifan believes that he just made a simple decision. But in most people's eyes, leaving their top-notch field means leaving their comfort zone. And Hou Yifan's extraordinary turn is not unrelated to her courage to leave her comfort zone.
Today, Hou Yifan is working hard to open her fists in the education circle, just as firm and brave as she chose to devote herself to the university campus 8 years ago. Hou Yifan said: "After staying in a circle for a long time, I am used to staying in this comfort zone. It is difficult to have the motivation to change after a long time. So I hope that every time I can keep pace with the times, inject new elements into myself, and do as much as possible for society. Life is about seeing more different landscapes. ”
Another change that reading has brought to Hou Yifan is to bring her a larger social circle. "From going to Peking University to applying for a Rhodes scholarship, to going to Oxford, I have met more and better friends outside the sports world. From teachers to classmates to other researchers, they are all excellent talents in various fields. I found that they still had the attachment to move on. Being with them can help open your mind. ”
While studying public policy at Oxford, Hou's classmates came from all over the world. "Not only are there civil servants reading this profession, but also lawyers and environmental protection personnel. This discipline is a comprehensive explanation of several important basic disciplines, such as economics, politics and law. From these basic theories, it teaches how to formulate policies and how to implement them. Taught me the ability to quickly formulate countermeasures when I encounter new problems. ”
The 2017 Rhodes Scholarship enrolled only 4 students in Chinese mainland. After Hou Yifan successfully applied, he not only received a scholarship of 30,000 pounds per year, but also had the right to use the "Rhodes Building". "This platform has given me the opportunity to learn. I was in Oxford, and in addition to classes, every time I went to Rhodes House, I learned, where there were lectures every Friday, forums, fresh topics every week, and scholars discussed together. The questions discussed can be hot topics of the moment, but they all rise to a new level, and every time I participate in the discussion with a learning purpose, I feel inspired. ”
<h1 class= "pgc-h-arrow-right" > leap from student to education</h1>
A year after graduating from Oxford University with a master's degree, Hou Yifan is making a leap from student to education. But long ago, she had a desire to pass on her experience of learning and playing chess to the outside world.
A year ago, Hou Yifan came to Shenzhen to participate in the national elephant activities and chatted with Liu Shilan, president of the Shenzhen Chess Academy, about the development of the national elephant in colleges and universities. Liu Shilan immediately encouraged and suggested her to work at Shenzhen University and actively promoted it.
Hou Yifan said that when he came to Shenzhen University to teach this time, he hoped to implement his study experience at Peking University and Oxford into his own teaching style. "For example, when I was in Oxford, I had the deepest experience that teachers wouldn't skip a topic because it was too basic. On the contrary, because it is the knowledge of the foundation, the context will be clearer. Hou Yifan said that she also saw the master's skill, and it is possible to explain complex topics clearly in a simple way." I hope to integrate these educational concepts into China's teaching concepts, and hope to combine China's good education methods to make students learn more efficiently. I hope that after four years of studying at Shenzhen University, students can still think back that the study time of the university is meaningful, in addition to remembering what they have learned, but also gaining important companions in life. Hou Yifan said.
< h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > chess and education will be the focus of the future</h1>
Beiqing-Beijing headline reporter Hou Yifan was interviewed late the night before, hou Yifan had just finished playing the final of the third leg of the FIDE Women's Quick Chess Tournament. In this match held on the Internet, Hou Yifan once lagged behind the Russian chess player Lagono, but still stubbornly equalized, dragging the game into extra time. Unfortunately, because of the mouse operation error, Hou Yifan took the initiative to concede defeat. Regardless of the results, this means that chess playing and education will be the focus of Hou Yifan's next work.
Hou Yifan told reporters that in the past few years, she was busy with her studies while also insisting on playing chess. "Although compared with professional chess players at that time, there were fewer games, but during my studies in the Uk, I always insisted on participating in the British and German leagues, and there were more quick chess matches. As long as I can play in Europe, I will try to play. Hou Yifan said.
Recently, due to the impact of the new crown virus epidemic, including the national elephant candidate competition was forced to stop halfway, many competitions have become online. But it also gave Hou Yifan the opportunity to participate. "Now the tournaments are held on the Internet, and the best thing is that there is no need for chess players to fly to the competition place to concentrate on participating in the competition for half a month, and the competition time is in the evening of Chinese time." I have a job during the day, and I play chess at night, and I don't conflict with work. I still love to play. Including the previous National Cup, I will try my best to participate in it. ”
At present, Hou Yifan's workload in Shenzhen is not small. In addition to the profound teaching and research tasks, after the landing of the Longgang base of the national elephant national team in the later stage, she also needs to serve as a coach. Talking about how to allocate her energy, Hou Yifan admitted that at the moment, she will definitely focus on work, and the offline competition should see if she can coordinate time. "I do less 5 years and 10 years of planning, and more short-term goals."
Along the way, every time Hou Yifan came to the crossroads of life, he would make an extraordinary choice. She said she went with the flow. "Before I chose to play chess or go to school, now I choose to play chess or work. In fact, it is too much to consider, it is better to simplify the treatment. I will follow my heart, ask myself what I like, simply weigh the pros and cons, and whether I will regret it. If you are not satisfied, can you accept the consequences. Ask yourself before making a choice. ”
Speaking of the moment, Hou Yifan said that she was satisfied with the choice she had made. Her goal is to attract more good students to Shenzhen University. "I've been to the world to promote national elephants and give lectures, but most of the audience is the local professional team, or primary and secondary school students. There are very few college students. This time I can work in colleges and universities, I can do more exploration and find the fit point of promotion. I also advertise shenzhen university. Many people chose to go to Boston to study because there were famous schools and the most well-known companies. Nowadays, there are many world-renowned companies around Shenzhen University that can provide internship opportunities. Students are welcome to apply to our school, our major. ”
Photo courtesy of Hou Yifan
Text/Beiqing Sports Chu Peng