Round 11 results:

The 4th stage FIDE Women Grand Prix officially came to a close in Kazan on 22 June, 2012.

After 11 rounds Slovenian player Anna Muzychuk and Indian player Humpy Koneru became winners of the championship. According to the regulations of Grandprix in the case of any tie in any tournament, the Grand Prix ranking points and prize money will be split equally.

Before the last round three players shared first place: Viktorija Cmilyte, Anna Muzychuk and Humoy Koneru. In the 11th round Humpy Koneru sacrifieced a piece and managed to defeat Alisa Galliamova with black pieces. Anna Muzychuk used a mistake of Nadezhda Kosintseva and won the game as well while Viktorija Cmilyte made a draw against Antoaneta Stefanova. As a result, 2 players finished on the top, followed by the current world champion Hou Yifan (China) and Lithuanian Viktorija Cmilyte with 7 points. In her last game in Kazan, Hou Yifan has secured a confident win over Elina Danielian, who was leading during the tournament but lost three last games. Elina Danelian from Armenia and Russian Alexandra Kostenyuk collected 6 points each to share 5th – 6th positions. Ex-world champion defeated Betul Yildiz and sufficiently improved her ranking. One more Russian Tatiana Kosintseva defeated Ukrainian Katerina Lahno and finished seventh with 5.5 points. Lahno consequently ranked one spot lower half a point behind.

Nadezhda Kosintseva and Bulgarian Antoaneta Stefanova finished on the 9th – 10th places with 4.5 points, Russian Alisa Galliamova showed 11th result with 3 points, followed by Betul Yildiz from Turkey with 2.5 points.

The closing ceremony took place in the Korston Hotel and was attended by FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, Minister on Affairs of Youth, Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Tatarstan Rafis Burganov, players, officials and spectators. The winners Anna Muzychuk and Humpy Koneru were awarded with big wooden chess pieces and all the participants of FIDE Grand Prix in Kazan were awarded with flowers and presents. Viktorija Cmilyte received a special prize devoted to 100 years anniversary since the birthday of Rashit Nezmetdinov. Her victory against World Champion Hou Yifan was chosen by the organizing committee as the best game.

At the closing ceremony FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has made a surprising gift for the Chess Federation of the Republic of Tatarstan - a set of electronic boards, in which participants played!





 

Round 10

Before the last round of FIDE Women Grand Prix in Kazan three players are on top. Viktorija Cmilyte won against Nadezhda Kosintseva and replaced Elina Danielian, who was defeated by Alisa Galliamova. Elina chose to go into a sharp position in the middle game but missed intersting opportunity on 19th move and her position became worse. Russian player Alisa Galliamova, who lost four previous games, played precisely today, neutralized all threats of her opponent and left with extra material. Other leaders Anna Muzychuk and Humpy Koneru made draws against Hou Yifan and Alexandra Kosteniuk accordingly and share first place with Viktorija Cmilyte with 6.5 points. Tatiana Kosintseva could score today playing with white against Antoaneta Stefanova but missed her chances in the time troubles.








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Photo Gallery of Round 10

Round 9

Kazan stage of FIDE Women Grand Prix is gradually reaching its culmination. Elina Danielian lost the first game in the tournament to Alexandra Kosteniuk. Ex-world champion, who had white pieces, was playing for initiative from the opening and found nice sacrifice to open the central files and create a decisive attack on opponents ‘king. The defeat of Armenian player let Anna Muzychuk, who made a draw against Viktorija Chmilyte, and Humpy Koneru, who won against Katerina Lahno, reach her on top. Although two rounds to go there are three leaders in the tournament. Hou Yifan managed to win in close to draw rook endgame against Alisa Galliamova. After the 5 hours of play Antoaneta Stefanova got winning chances in the bishop endgame against Betul Yildiz but didn’t find the way to create more problems for her opponent and as a result the game was drawn. Quite predictably, Kosintseva sisters concluded a draw. It took them 14 moves this time to seal their usual result.

Two rounds before the finish of the event, three players are resting on the top with 6 points each. Current leaders are Elina Danielian (Armenia), Anna Muzychuk (Slovenia) and Humpy Koneru (India). Viktorija Cmilyte (Lithuania) and Hou Yifan (China) are chasing them with 5,5 points, followed by Nadezhda Kosintseva, Alexandra Kostenyuk (both – Russia) and Katerina Lahno (Ukraine), who have collected 4,5 points in Kazan. Tatiana Kosintseca (Russia) is on the 9th place with 4 points. Antoaneta Stefanova (Bulgaria) goes 10th with 3,5 points. Alisa Galliamova (Russia) and Betul Yildiz (Turkey) are closing the ranking with 2 points.

Round 8

Four games in the eighth round in FIDE Women Grand Prix in Kazan were decisive today but in fact all of them could be scored if Betul Yildiz and Viktorija Cmilyte, who had big advantage, would defeat their opponents - sisters Nadezhda and Tatiana Kosintsevas. The central game of the match between the leader Elina Danielian and chaser Katerina Lahno finished in favor of Armenian player. Anna Muzychuk got a better position after the opening in the game against Alisa Galliamova but later on didn’t play precisely and allowed black to equalize. In the deep endgame Slovenian player managed to find winning chances and beat her opponent. World Champion Hou Yifan, who played white against Alexandra Kosteniuk, sacrificed the second knight on g7 square in this tournament as it also happened in the game with Antoaneta Stefanova in the sixth round. The attack of Chinese player was decisive and Alexandra could not defend her position. Humpy Koneru created strong initiative in the middle game and defeated Antoaneta Stefanova.

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Round 7

Elina Danielian made a draw today in the game against Antoaneta Stefanova and keeps leading after the 7th round of FIDE Grand Prix in Kazan. Bulgarian player got slightly better position in the middle game but didn’t use all the chances although Armenian player found precise way to defend in the deep endgame. Katerina Lahno could have joined Elina Danielian on top but missed the winning possibilities in the game against world champion Hou Yifan. Anna Muzychuk drew against Tatiana Kosintseva and keeps sharing the second place. Viktorija Cmilyte defeated Betul Yildiz and caught Anna Muzychuk and Katerina Lahno. Nadezhda Kosintseva didn’t receive any advantage in the opening playing with white against Humpy Koneru and later on players agreed for a draw in the pawn endgame. Alexandra Kosteniuk found good chances to fight for advantage in the complicated game against Alisa Galliamova and succeeded to win. Elina Danielian made a draw today in the game against Antoaneta Stefanova and keeps leading after the 7th round of FIDE Grand Prix in Kazan. Bulgarian player got slightly better position in the middle game but didn’t use all the chances although Armenian player found precise way to defend in the deep endgame. Katerina Lahno could have joined Elina Danielian on top but missed the winning possibilities in the game against world champion Hou Yifan. Anna Muzychuk drew against Tatiana Kosintseva and keeps sharing the second place. Viktorija Cmilyte defeated Betul Yildiz and caught Anna Muzychuk and Katerina Lahno. Nadezhda Kosintseva didn’t receive any advantage in the opening playing with white against Humpy Koneru and later on players agreed for a draw in the pawn endgame. Alexandra Kosteniuk found good chances to fight for advantage in the complicated game against Alisa Galliamova and succeeded to win.







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Round 6

Elina Danielian won against Nadezhda Kosinteseva and for the second time became the sole leader in FIDE Women Grand Prix in Kazan. Armenian player chose the same variation which recently happened in her game against another Kosintseva sisterTatiana . Playing with black Katerina Lahno started to fight for initiative from the opening and tried to use a bad placement of white knight in the game against local celebrity Alisa Galliamova. With very little time Alisa didn’t defend precisely and lost the game. Tatiana Kosintseva scored the first full point playing against Betul Yildiz. Turkish player underestimated black’s attack on the queen’s side and didn’t use an opportunity to create contra play on the king’s side. World champion Hou Yifan got better position in the middle game against Antoaneta Stefanova and later on created a decisive attack on black’s king. Tense games Muzychuk-Kosteniuk and Koneru-Cmilte finished with draws.

After six rounds of play, Elina Danielian leads with 4.5 points. Katerina Lahno and Anna Muzychuk share the second place with half a point behind. Hampy Koneru and Viktorija Cmilyte are sharing 4th – 5th places with 3.5 points, followed by Nadezhda Kosintseva and Hou Yifan who placed 6-7 with 3 points. Alexandra Kostenyuk, Tatiana Kosintseva and Antoaneta Stefanova are ranking 8 – 10 with 2.5 points. Alisa Galliamova is currently eleventh with 2 points, followed by Betul Yildiz with 1 point.






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Round 5

After the free day the round fifth was quite peaceful – 4 draws and only 2 decisive games, a rare outcome in this event. Playing black the leader of the tournament Elina Danielian made a draw against Viktorija Cmilyte in a slightly better for white endgame. Anna Muzychuk defeated Betul Yildiz to join Elina Danielian in the lead. Katerina Lahno received the position with the big advantage in the opening, playing white against Alexandra Kosteniuk and managed to convert her advantage into full point. Antoaneta Stefanova and Tatiana Kosintseva were close to win their games but missed their advantage playing against Alisa Galliamova and Humpy Koneru accordingly. Nadezhda Kosinsteva got better position playing with white against Hou Yifan but World Champion changed few pieces and succeeded to make a draw in a slightly worse endgame.

Round 6 standings: 1st-2nd Elina Danielian and Anna Muzychuk 3,5 points. 3rd-6th Katerina Lahno, Viktorija Cmilyte, Nadezhda Kosintseva, Humpy Koneru 3 points. 7th Antoaneta Stefanova 2,5 points. 8th – 10th Alexandra Kosteniuk, Hou Yifan, Alisa Galliamova 2 points. 11th Tatiana Kosintseva 1,5 points. 12th Betul Yildiz 1 point.







The official tournament web page 

Videos with press-conferences after the games are here

Photos from the fifth round and free day are here

Free day photos

Elina Danielian leads after four rounds

In the fourth round of FIDE Women grand Prix in Kazan four players succeeded to win their games. The world champion Hou Yifan lost the second game in the tournament, this time against Viktorija Cmilyte. Chinese player had some problems with the development after the opening and got into troubles. Viktorija Cmilyte was trying to get an advantage and converted the game into the better ending where the power of two bishops proved to be decisive. Elina Danielian sacrificed an exchange in the middle game, playing with white against Tatiana Kosintseva, and created strong attack on the black king in return. With very little time left Russian player could not find an exact defence and had to resign on 39th move. Humpy Koneru and Betul Yildiz had lack of time as well in the endgame, which looked more pleasant for Black but Turkish player made a mistake which immediately changed evaluation in favor of Humpy Koneru. Indian player didn't give other chances to the opponent and converted her advantage into full point. Alisa Galliamova lost the second game in a row. This time she was defeated by Nadezhda Kosintseva, who used inaccurate play of her opponent in the middle game. Two tense games Anna Muzychuk - Katerina Lahno, Alexandra Kosteniuk - Antoaneta Stefanova finished with draws.

The tournament situation became more clear before the first free day of FIDE Women Grand Prix in Kazan. Elina Danielian (Armenia) is leading solely with 3 points, following by Anna Muzychuk (Slovenia), Nadezhda Kosintseva (Slovenia), Humpy Koneru (India) and Viktorija Chilyte (Lithuania) half a point behind. Katerina Lahno (Ukraine), Alexandra Kostenyuk (Russia) and Antoaneta Stefanova (Bulgaria) are sharing 6 - 8th ranks with 2 points each. Alisa Galliamova (Russia) and Hou Yifan (China) collected 1.5 points to occasionally place on the 9th - 10th positions. Tatiana Kosintseva (Russia) and Betul Yildiz (Turkey) are closing the table, having just 1 point after 4 rounds of play.

Official website

Photo Gallery of Round 4

Round 3

Four decisive games were played on the third day of Women Grand Prix tournament in Kazan. Alexandra Kosteniuk and Alisa Galliamova lost their games against Nadezhda Kosintseva and Viktorija Cmilyte accordingly. Viktorija Cmilyte could have played quiet variation but preferred to go into an extremely sharp middle-game and outplayed her opponent in complications. Alexandra Kosteniuk got quite comfortable position with Black but didn’t play precisely and got into troubles in the rook ending. Former world champion desperately tried to find a draw but after 78 moves the longest game of the third round was over. Elina Danielian used inaccurate play of Betul Yildiz in the middle game and found an interesting plan which destroyed the position of her opponent. Hou Yifan recovered after the previous round and outplayed Tatiana Kosintseva with black. World champion found few exact moves in the opening and got sensible advantage.

Official website

Photo Gallery of the 3rd Round

Round 2

The second day of  the fourth stage of FIDE Women Grand Prix in Kazan presented three resultative games. The biggest surprise became the victory of Turkish player Betul Yildiz over world champion Hou Yifan. Chinese player sacrificed a piece in a very complicated position and passed by the winning variation in time trouble. Betul used a mistake of her opponent and transferred the game into the winning ending.   Playing white Anna Muzychuk sacrificed a pawn in the game against Antoaneta Stefanova and in the sharp position managed to defeat former world champion. Viktorija Cmilyte got the position with a huge advantage playing with black against Alexandra Kosteniuk but missed good chances to win the game in the time trouble and even lost. Alisa Galliamova could have scored the second point today but didn’t choose the exact move in the time trouble, playing against Tatiana Kosintseva. As a result, game finished in a draw. Two more games Katerina Lahno – Nadezhda Kosintseva, Elina Danielian – Humpy Koneru ended peacefully. After the second round three players Anna Muzychuk, Alisa Galliamova and Alexandra Kosteniuk share the first place with 1,5 points.







Official website

Round 1

The first round of FIDE Women`s Grand Prix tournament in Kazan got under way on the 10th of June 2012. Before the start of the games FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the minister of youth, sport and tourism of RT Rafis Burganov and FIDE CEO Geoffrey Borg took part in the press conference devoted to the beginning of the fourth stage of FIDE Women Grand Prix. After the end of the press conference FIDE President Kirsan Iyumzhinov made the first symbolic move in the game between Humpy Koneru and Hou Yifan.

The opening round passed in a tense struggle, nevertheless first three games Viktorija Cmilyte  -  Katerina Lahno, Elina Danielian – Anna Muzychuk,  Humpy Koneru – Hou Yifan were drawn. After the first time control Alisa Galliamova managed to win against Betul Yildiz in a slightly better endgame. Long game between Antoaneta Stefanova and Nadezhda Kosintseva finished in favor of Bulgarian player. A very exciting struggle between Tatiana Kosintseva and Alexandra Kosteniuk finished in a draw.

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Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony of the 4th stage of FIDE Women's Grand Prix Series 2011-2012 took place in the assembly hall of the "Korston" Hotel in Kazan (Russia) on the 9th of June. 12 players from 9 countries will take part in the event among them World Champion Hou Yifan, former World Champions Alexandra Kosteniuk, Antoaneta Stefanova as well as current number three and four among women by rating Anna Muzychuk and Humpy Koneru. Four members of National Russian team, current Olympic Champions Tatiana Kosintseva, Nadezhda Kosintseva, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Alisa Galliamova will represent Russian Federation.

The event was attended by such honorable guests as 1st President of the Republic of Tatarstan, State Advisor of the Republic of Tatarstan, Senior Advisor to the FIDE President Mr. M. Shaimiev, the Chief Executive Officer of FIDE Mr. G. Borg, Assistant to the FIDE President Mr. B. Balgabaev and others.





Photos by Anastasiya Karlovich

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