Hou is Mariya

Hou Yifan is currently leading in her Women’s World Chess Championship match against Mariya Muzychuk, and I suppose this is a good time for me to tell you about what happened when they met for the first time. Basically, Maria went up to Hou and introduced herself.

MM: Hi, I’m Mariya.

HY: Hou.

MM: Er, Mariya.

HY: Hou.

MM: I just told you. Mariya. May I know your name please?

HY: Hou!

MM: Mariya, Mariya, Mariya! Aaargh! (Storms off. Harika Dronavalli walks up to Hou.)

HD: Hey, Hou. Who was that?

HY: Some strange girl called Mariya Mariya Mariya.

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A kind reader points me to this:

Most magnificent!