Women's Chess Grand Prix Jermuk R6: Ju Wenjun in Lead; Yifan, Humpy, Lufei Half-a-Point Behind

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012

Hi everyone,

The Fide Women's Chess Grand Prix is currently on in Jermuk. After six rounds, China's Ju Wenjun continues to lead with a well-earned 4.5 points. In Round six, only two games were decisive. Koneru Humpy beat Ekaterina Kovalevskaya and Nino Khurtsidze lost to Ruan Lufei. The other games - Zhao Xue-Munguntuul Batkhuyag, Mkrtchian Lilit-Lahno Kateryna, Ju Wenjun-Kosintseva Nadezhda, Danielian Elina-Hou Yifan were draws.

Ju Wenjun in Lead

Earlier, in the fifth round, Hou Yifan beat Khurtsidze and Nadezhda Kosintseva lost to Lilit Mkrtchian. The other games were all draws: Ruan Lufei-Koneru Humpy, Kovalevskaya-Ju Wenjun and Lahno-Munguntuul.

Here are the standings after six rounds as the girls go into the first rest day on Monday. Ju Wenjun has 4.5 points, Hou Yifan, Koneru Humpy and Ruan Lufei at 4.0 points, Elina Danielian, Kateryna Lahno, Lilit Mkrtchian, Zhao Xue are at 3.5 points each, Ekaterina Kovalevskaya and Nadezhda Kosintseva at 2.5 points each, Batkhuyag Munguntuul at 2.0 and Nino Khurtsidze.

The nice Humpy-Kovalevskaya game showing the importance of central pawns is available at Chess King.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com

Women's Chess Grand Prix Begins in Jermuk Today

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012

Hi everyone,

The fifth leg of the Women's Chess Grand Prix begins in Jermuk, Armenia begins today with the first games being played on July 17. The list of participants includes:

1 Hou Yifan GM CHN 2617
2 Humpy Koneru GM IND 2598
3 Zhao Xue GM CHN 2556
4 Kateryna Lahno GM UKR 2537
5 Ju Wenjun WGM CHN 2518
6 Nadezhda Kosintseva GM RUS 2516
7 Ruan Lufei WGM CHN 2483
8 Elina Danielian GM ARM 2480
9 Nino Khurtsidze WGM GEO 2456
10 Lilit Mkrtchian WGM ARM 2450
11 Munguntuul Batkhuyag WGM MGL 2447
12 Ekaterina Kovalevskaya WGM RUS 2417

The word Jermuk comes from the Armenian word for warmth, a reference to its plentiful hot natural springs and mineral waters. A resort town located about 170 km south-east from Armenia's capital Yerevan, this picturesque and pristine resort is nestled in mountains rising over 2 kms in altitude. Today Jermuk is a revitalized growth of tourism as health spas, medical treatment and tourism, and more traditional touristic destinations offer their services to both local and international guests.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com