Chess champion sees value in step-by-step progress

Being the youngest person to win the women's world championship in international chess, Chinese player Hou Yifan compared life with pawns — each moved forward to affect small things — and called on Friday for the young generation to empower the building of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Though limited in power and large in numbers, Hou spoke about her affection for pawns, the weakest chess piece, though as they move forward step by step they acquire the potential to be promoted to the strongest once reaching the opponent's back rank.

"I find this parallel to life itself — once you make a decision, there's no turning back, and even a humble pawn holds boundless potential," she said.