Jermuk Chess Grand Prix R9: Hou Yifan Takes Sole Lead
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
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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.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
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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
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
Also see her personal blog at
Labels: jermuk chess, Women's Chess Grand Prix
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