Hou Yifan is a Chinese chess player, widely recognized as one of the strongest female players in the world. Born on February 27, 1994, she became the youngest female player to earn the title of Grandmaster in 2008 at the age of 16. Throughout her career, Hou has won multiple Women's World Chess Championships and has consistently ranked among the top players in the world. In addition to her competitive achievements, she is also known for her contributions to promoting chess, particularly among young girls and women.