Khanty Mansiysk Women's Chess GP Top Three Winners - Hou, Girya, Kosteniuk!
Hello Chess Blog friends,
12th Women's World Chess Champion and her successor meet once again for an exciting draw and the third and first place at the Khanty Mansiysk FIDE Grand Prix...
... and, Olga Girya in the background earning the second place with a very strong performance! Photos: Nikolay Bochkarev
Here's some exciting chess news from Khanty Mansiysk where the FIDE Women's GP has just concluded. The top three winners are reigning women's world chess champion Hou Yifan of China, Olga Girya of Russia (who picks up a GM norm) and 12th Women's World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk!
Eleven rounds of exciting chess had Hou Yifan win the event with a strong 1.5 points, but the Russian girls were right behind all along. The last round witnessed a fierce struggle between Hou Yifan and Alexandra Kosteniuk, but the game was drawn.
Local Russian player Olga Girya proved to be the hero of the event playing above her rating and picking up an important GM norm. Alexandra Kosteniuk - with her fans cheering on twitter - played her usual killer chess to claim the unshared third place. She was the only one against whom Hou Yifan seemed to be under any pressure during the tournament.
Two players tied for fourth with six points - Anna Muzychuk and Kateryna Lagno.
FINAL STANDINGS
The prize distribution photos will be available soon. You can also look forward to a nice post by Chess Queen™ Alexandra Kosteniuk on her personal blog soon enough. Great round-wise reports by Alina l'Ami, along with nice photos by Nikolay Bochkarev, are available on the official website.
But, don't go away yet from Khanty Mansiysk! Tomorrow begins the Women's World Rapid Chess Championship followed by the Women's World Blitz Chess Championship.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
Labels: Alexandra Kosteniuk, Hou Yifan, khanty mansiysk chess, olga girya, Women's Chess Grand Prix
4th Women's Chess Grand Prix 2013/14 Opens in Khanty Mansiysk
Hello everyone,
The fourth stage of the women’s FIDE Grand Prix officially opened today in Khanty-Mansiysk. A concert where the main character was a unique musical instrument – an organ, was organized for the participants and guests of the tournament.
Twelve chess players representing 8 countries of the world will participate in the competition that will take place until the 21st of April.
Women's Chess Grand Prix is a series of six tournaments that are being held over a two years period. The tournament uses round robin system. The time control for each player is 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 30 minutes for the rest of the game with 30 seconds increment after each move.
In his welcome address Director of Physical Culture and Sports Department of Ugra Evgeniy Redkin wished everyone an interesting tournament.
“I wish that the stage in Khanty-Mansiysk would help you score more points in the overall standings and fight for the main prize of FIDE Grand Prix 2013/14. It should be noted that during the last month the attention of chess fans all over the world was focused on Khanty-Mansiysk. Now we will have Grand Prix, and it will be followed by FIDE Women’s World Rapid and Blitz Championships, once again proving the words of FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov: “Khanty-Mansiysk is a chess Mecca”.
"I hope that participants will not only be interested in playing in the tournament, but will have time to visit all the tourist sights of the city,” – said Evgeniy Redkin.
The Head of Khanty-Mansiyks, President of Ugra Chess Federation Vasily Filipenko recalled that “chess spring” continues in Khanty-Mansiysk. “Today I welcome the best women chess players of the planet in the capital of Ugra. In the words of a famous poet, a woman can stop a galloping horse, and the participants of the tournament can even capture a knight! I wish everyone success and beautiful games”, – summed the mayor.
FIDE CEO Geoffrey Borg congratulated the participants and all chess spectators with the start of another Grand Prix stage.
Drawing of lots for the tournament was held during the opening ceremony. So, the pairings of the first round are:
Antoaneta Stefanova – Alexandra KosteniukAnna Ushenina – Nafisa MuminovaZhao Xue – Kateryna LagnoOlga Girya – Nana DzagnidzeBatchimeg Tuvshintugs – Anna MuzychukTatiana Kosintseva – Hou Yifan
The opening ceremony was followed by a concert. Chamber Music Ensemble “Canzone” performed world classics. Opera vocal sketches alternated magical organ sounds, live chess pieces took the stage, reminding the audience that very soon new chess battles will start in Khanty-Mansiysk.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Labels: khanty mansiysk ugra chess academy, Women's Chess Grand Prix
Ugra Chess Academy Khanty Mansiysk Welcomes Women Chess Superstars!
Hello everyone,
World's top women chess superstars have gathered in Khanty Mansiysk for the start of the Women's Chess Grand Prix 2013/2014.
The Ugra Chess Academy is hosting the event. Chess battles will traditionally take place in the tournament hall, located on the second floor of the Academy. Thanks to its innovative design, the hall has an ability to transform and vary in size: it is possible due to the moving walls and folding spectators’ grandstand. In recent years, the hall held several major international chess forums.
The fourth stage of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix series 2013-2014 will take place at the Ugra Chess Academy, Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia from the 8th of April until the 22nd of April 2014.
The history of this futuristic building (which resembles a chess piece) starts in September 2010. Then in the building of Ugra Chess Academy, General Assembly and the 81st FIDE Congress were held as part of the 39th World Chess Olympiad. In April 2011, there was held a forum of International Paralympics’ Committee as part of the World Cup in biathlon and cross-country skiing among persons with disabilities – 2011. And in September 2011, the Academy hosted World Chess Cup – 2011. In the summer of 2012 the Academy held a chess tournament under the umbrella of the third All-Russian Summer Universiade – 2012. In the autumn of 2012 Academy hosted World Women’s Chess Championship. And the three dots on this list were put by World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship – 2013. In addition, the Academy holds a huge amount of tournaments of regional , national and international levels with athletes of different age categories taking part.
For spectators, as before, it is planned to organize a hall of games’ commentating, where one would be able to track the progress of the play and get professional comments of the expert on the most interesting moments of the matches. The computer class of the Academy will be a place where the player can analyze the games and access to the Internet. Besides, a press center and the office of the Organizing Committee will operate on the ground floor of the Academy.
SCHEDULE
07.04.2014 Mon Arrivals
08.04.2014 Tu 18:00 Player’s meeting CTC «Ugra-Classic»,
press conference hall 19:00 Opening Ceremony CTC «Ugra-Classic», small hall
09.04.2014 We 15:00 Round 1 «Ugra Chess Academy»
10.04.2014 Th 15:00 Round 2
11.04.2014 Fr 15:00 Round 3
12.04.2014 Sa 15:00 Round 4
13.04.2014 Su Day off
14.04.2014 Mon 15:00 Round 5
15.04.2014 Tu 15:00 Round 6
16.04.2014 We 15:00 Round 7
17.04.2014 Th 15:00 Round 8
18.04.2014 Fr Day off
19.04.2014 Sa 15:00 Round 9
20.04.2014 Su 15:00 Round 10
21.04.2014 Mon 15:00 Round 11
21:00 Closing Ceremony Cronwell Inn Ugra, restaurant
22.04.2014 Tu Departures
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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Also see her personal chess blog
at www.chessqueen.com
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Queen™
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Labels: khanty mansiysk 2014, ugra chess academy, Women's Chess Grand Prix
Bela Khotenashvili Wins Foundation Neva Women's Chess Grand Prix in Geneva
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Georgia's Bela Khotenashvili has won the Foundation Neva Women's Chess Grand Prix 2013 in Geneva. Her nearest rival Anna Muzychuk had to win the game in order to catch the leader but Slovenian player didn’t get anything out of the opening and drew against 12th Women's World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk.
“I’m very happy to win this tournament and consider this result as the best one in my career so far. I would like to thank Georgian chess federation, President of GCF Giya Giorgadze and our coach Davit Jojua for their help,” said Bela Khotenashvili at the final press conference.
Hou Yifan missed winning chances in the endgame and lost the game against Nana Dzagnidze. Tatiana Kosintseva had a very good position after the opening but was spending a lot of time and lost against Ju Wenjun. Viktorija Cmilyte outplayed Olga Girya. As a result, Nana Dzagnidze tied for the third place with Tatiana Kosintseva.
Congratulations to all the girls who gave us almost two weeks of great chess games and showcased how fighting spirit can make chess just so exciting. Some of the draws were amazing and left fans and spectators in awe. All around everyone shared the joy of great chess.
The awarding ceremony took place after the last game was finished and was attended by Under Secretary-General, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, Mr. Tokayev, the founder of Neva Fondation Elena Timtchenko, FIDE President Kirsan Iljumzhinov, FIDE CEO Geoffrey Borg.
Official website
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Labels: Anna Muzychuk, bela khotenashvili, nana dzagnidze, tatiana kosintseva, Women's Chess Grand Prix
Women's Chess Grand Prix in Ankara R6: Humpy, Muzyhuk in Joint Lead
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012Hi everyone,
Anna Muzychuk and Koneru Humpy are in joint lead at the sixth edition of the Fide Women's Chess Grand Prix in Ankara, Turkey. All games turned out to be decisive in the sixth round in Ankara.
Humpy Koneru won against another leader Ruan Lufei in the variation which happened already in the game Kosintseva-Koneru. Anna Muzyhcuk showed fighting spirit and managed to win against Betul Yildiz after 130 moves of tough fight. Both Humpy Koneru and Anna Muzychuk have 5 out of 6 and keep on leading in the Grand Prix at the moment.
Monika Socko celebrated her first victory over Turkish player Kubra Ozturk. Tatiana Kosintseva defeated Viktorija Cmilyte in the rook endgame. Chinese players Ju Wenjun and Zhao Xue outplayed Antoaneta Stefanova and Munguntuul Batkhuyag respectively and share the third place in the tournament.
Labels: Anna Muzychuk, koneru humpy, Women's Chess Grand Prix
Women's Chess Grand Prix R5: Three in Joint Lead
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Monika Socko versus Anna Muzychuk in Round 5
Three players are in joint lead after the fifth round at the Fide Women's Chess Grand Prix in Ankara. This is the sixth and final edition of the Grand Prix for the 2011/12 cycle. The leaders Humpy Koneru and Ruan Lufei drew their games and allowed the rating favorite of the tournament Anna Muzychuk to catch up on the shared first place.
Slovenian player managed to outplay Monika Socko in an equal endgame. Another decisive game was played between Chinese Zhao Xue and Ruan Lufei. Turkish player Kubra Ozturk saved lost position playing with white against Tatiana Kosinsteva and her teammate Betul Yildiz managed to hold the position playing against Munguntuul Batkhuyag.
A crucial Round 6 will be played on Saturday and you can tune in to the live games at the official website.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
Labels: ankara chess, Women's Chess Grand Prix
Women's Chess Grand Prix: Sixth Edition in Ankara from Sept 15
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012Hi everyone,The next strong chess tournament is to be held in Ankara, Turkey from September 15. It is the sixth edition of the FIDE Women's Chess Grand Prix 2011-2012. Twelve players are taking part in the round-robin chess tournament. Previous events have been won thrice by Hou Yifan, once by Zhao Xue, and one was shared by Anna Muzychuk and Koneru Humpy. The first round would be played on September 16.
List of players
Muzychuk Anna GM 2606
Koneru Humpy GM 2593
Zhao Xue GM 2549
Ju Wenjun WGM 2528
Kosintseva Tatiana GM 2524
Cmilyte Viktorija GM 2520
Stefanova Antoaneta GM 2502
Ruan Lufei WGM 2492
Socko Monika GM 2463
Munguntuul Batkhuyag IM 2434
Yildiz Betul Cemre WGM 2341
Ozturk Kubra WGM 2294
The FIDE Women Grand Prix is a series of six chess tournaments for women to be held over a period of two years. The winner of each tournament wins 6,500 euros out of a prize fund of 40,000 euros and the overall winner of the series wins a further 15,000 euros at the end of the series. The official tournament website will have a live games' broadcast from September 16.
Ankara (historically known as Angora) is the capital of Turkey and the country’s second largest city after Istanbul. Centrally located in Anatolia, Ankara is an important commercial and industrial city.
Labels: Anna Muzychuk, Hou Yifan, ju wenjun, koneru humpy, tatiana kosintseva, viktorija cmilyte, Women's Chess Grand Prix, Zhao Xue
Jermuk Chess Grand Prix R9: Hou Yifan Takes Sole Lead
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
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| Koneru Humpy |
China's Ju Wenjun was not able to hold her lead in the ninth round played at the Jermuk Women's Chess Grand Prix in Armenia. The Chinese drew with Lilit Mkrtchian and conceded a half-point lead to compatriot Women's World Chess Champion Hou Yifan. The latter beat Ekaterina Kovalevskaya. However, Wenjun earned a men's GM norm for her excellent form in the tournament so far. You can replay the Kovalevskaya-Yifan game with Chess King.
In other games of Round 9, Ruan beat Zhao Xue, Nadezhda Kosintseva and Elina Danielian drew a tense match, Kateryna Lahno let Nino Khurtsidze slip away with a draw. The game between Batkhuyag Munguntuul and Koneru Humpy also ended in a draw as the Indian played safe after two losses.
Standings after Round 9 have Hou Yifan at 6.5 points followed by Ju Wenjun at 6.0 and Ruan Lufei at 5.5. Nadezhda Kosintseva and Kateryna Lahno are both at 5.0. Humpy and Zhao have 4.5 points each. Danielian and Mkrtchian both have 4.0 points. Munguntuul is at 3.5, Kovalevskaya at 3.0 and Khurtsidze at 2.5 points. Two more rounds have to be played.
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Labels: Hou Yifan, jermuk chess, ju wenjun, kateryna lahno, Women's Chess Grand Prix
Jermuk Chess Grand Prix R8: Ju Wenjun, Hou Yifan in Joint Lead; Humpy Blunders Against Lahno
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
The excitement at the Jermuk women's chess Grand Prix is up as the last few rounds come with top players all close to each other in the lead. Women's world chess champion Hou Yifan played a nice game to push Ruan Lufei on the backfoot and won to join Ju Wenjun in the lead.
India's Koneru Humpy went down to Kateryna Lahno. In the game Koneru – Lahno, the world vice-champion committed a very uncharacteristic blunder and the game was virtually decided on the spot. After the opening, in a rich and equal position, white gave away a key central pawn, allowing black to emerge from the sequence with a decisive position.
The similar scenario was played out in the game between Zhao Zue – Lilit Mkrtchian. To the chagrin of the hometown fans, Mkrtchian also blundered away a key central pawn in an innocuous position in which white had a nominal advantage but not more.In the Khurtsidze – Kosintseva both players blundered by returning each other's favour and the game ended in a draw. The only quiet draw of the round came between Ju Wenjun and Munguntuul Batkhuyag.
The clash between Danielian – Kovalevskaya was a most interesting game. A dynamically balanced position arose from the opening, with each side having its relative advantages. In the middle game, white drifted a bit and black was able to generate a certain plus. However, both missed chances in time trouble and the game ended in a draw after several hours.
After eight rounds, both Hou Yifan and Ju Wenjun have 5.5 points. A full point behind at 4.5 are Kateryna Lahno, Zhao Xue and Ruan Lufei. Nadezhda Kosintseva, Elina Danielian and Koneru Humpy are at 4.0. Lilit Mkrtchian is at 3.5. Batkhuyag Munguntuul and Ekaterina Kovalevskaya are at 3.0. Nino Khurtsidze is at 2.0.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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www.chessqueen.com Labels: Hou Yifan, jermuk chess, kateryna lahno, koneru humpy, ruan lufei, Women's Chess Grand Prix
Women's Chess Grand Prix in Jermuk: Humpy, Wenjun, Kovalevskaya Begin with Wins
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
The Jermuk Women's Chess Grand Prix - fifth in the series 2011/12 began with a traditional and elaborate opening ceremony on Monday. The first round was played on Tuesday with FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, Vayotz Dzor province Governor Edgar Ghazaryan and five-time World Champion Nona Gaprindashvili attending the opening day. Mr. Ghazaryan made the first symbolic move to inaugurate the chess tournament.
Round 1 Results
Koneru Humpy 1 - 0 Zhao Xue
Khurtsidze Nino 0 - 1 Ju Wenjun
Danielian Elina ½ - ½ Mkrtchian Lilit
Hou Yifan ½ - ½ Munguntuul Batkhuyag
Ruan Lufei ½ - ½ Lahno Kateryna
Kovalevskaya Ekaterina 1 - 0 Kosintseva Nadezhda
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Labels: jermuk chess, Women's Chess Grand Prix
Women's Chess Grand Prix sixth event in Doha from Feb 20
Chess blog for latest news and trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hi everyone,
The sixth part of the Women's Chess Grand Prix is set to begin in Doha, Qatar on February 20. It will run till March 6. According to the official website, 12 players will compete in the round robin event. The winner of the Grand Prix series will qualify for the 2011 World Championship match against the defending champion Hou Yifan.
Participants in Doha Women's Chess Grand Prix
- GM Humpy Koneru IND 2607
- GM Antoaneta Stefanova BUL 2546
- GM Pia Cramling SWE 2516
- GM Nana Dzagnidze GEO 2550
- GM Marie Sebag FRA 2489
- GM Maia Chiburdanidze GEO 2502
- GM Zhu Chen QTR 2495
- GM Elina Danielan ARM 2454
- GM Xu Yuhua CHN 2484
- IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul 2410
- IM Martha Fierro ECU 2353
- IM Lilit Mrktchian ARM 2475
The FIDE Women's Chess Grand Prix includes six events which are to be run over two years in various countries around the world with three tournaments every year. The winner of each tournament will win 6,500 euros out of a prize fund of 40,000 euros and the overall winner of the series will win a further 15,000 euros at the end of the series. The introduction of the Grand Prix series means that there will be a World Championship contest annually now from 2010. The 2010 champion was determined from the World Championship Knockout which was held in Turkey. Now, in 2011, the winner of the Grand Prix series 2009/2010 will take on Hou Yifan for a match for the title.
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Labels: chess blog, Doha, Hou Yifan, Women's Chess Grand Prix
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