Xu Yuhua of China won the Women's World Chess Championship on Saturday after defeating Alisa Galliamova of Russia in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

This made Xu the eleventh champion since Vera Menchik first won the title in 1927. Xu became the third player from China to receive the title, after Xie Jun and Zhu Chen.

The knockout event had 64 participants, with reigning world champion Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria defending her title.

After losing her first game and drawing the second, Galliamova started well in the third game.

However with move 40 and the first time control looming she started to slip and let Xu take the initiative.

Then, instead of pragmatically playing for a draw, the Russian sought to retain her chances in a counterattack, which failed. Xu won the point and with it the four-game match.

(Shenzhen Daily March 27, 2006)