Хоу Ифань
Prior to their 2016 World Championship match, Hou Yifan and Mariya Muzychik had played three standard games against each other. One ended in a draw, while the other two were won by Hou Yifan, both with the black pieces. In October 2015 both players participated in the first Grand Prix stage. Hou Yifan finished first, Muzychuk finished tied second. In the months before the tournament Mariya Muzychuk played in the men's edition of the Ukrainian championship in December 2015. That tournament was not only not broadcast live, but Muzychuk's games were not published at all. This was so as not to give Hou Yifan access to her games. Muzychuk finished tied 10th of 12 players. Hou Yifan played in the Tata Steel tournament in January 2016. After starting well with 3.5/6 she ended the tournament on 5/13, equal 12th in a field of 14.