China's Hou Yifan, a twelve-year-old Chess prodigy, has defeated former European champion Natalia Zhukova from Ukraine at the ongoing Women's Chess World Championship in Ekaterinbury, Russia.

Hou continued in triumphant spirit to reach the last 16.

Teammate Xu Yuhua also entered the final 16 while three more Chinese players will have to play an extra lightning game to fight for a berth in the 16.

(CRI English March 15, 2006)