Anna Ushenina is New Women's World Chess Champion

After a 2-2 deadlock in the normal games, the stage was set for an exciting finale in Khanty Mansiysk, Russia and Ushenina came up triumph winning the second game under rapid time control after the first game had ended in a draw. The Ukrainian won 60000 USD for her efforts in the championship and gets to play the next World Championship against Yifan Hou of China next year as part of the new cycle in the women’s World Championship.

The 64-players championship ended in a tie-break much like the men’s World Championship earlier this year where Vishwanathan Anand won defeating Boris Gelfand of Israel in the rapid tie-break. The Indian challenge in the championship had lasted till the semi-finals where D Harika went down to Stefanova after an intense struggle.

Speaking about the match, Ushenina did not mince words while calling it a gruelling schedule. “The match was very interesting, but we were clearly tired and made many mistakes. In the third and fourth games we exchanged blows -- first I took the lead, then Antoaneta equalised the score. In the first tie-break game white stood better, but I held a draw. In the second game black was slightly worse, but Antoaneta was very short on time, defended inaccurately and gave me a chance to win,” said the new women’s world champion.

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Khanty-Mansiysk World Chess Semi-Finals: Harika Loses 1st Game to Stefanova

Harika vs Stefanova

Grandmaster D Harika’s title aspirations suffered a major blow as she lost to Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria in the first game of the semifinal of World Women chess championship in Khanty Mansisysk, Russia. Despite displaying top form so far, Harika could not get things moving well for her in the first game and went down rather easily. The next game is a must win for Harika as that’s the only way to proceed to the tiebreaker with some respite.

In the clash between Harika and Stefanova, there was a difference in approach as the Indian tried to make things happen, while the latter waited patiently for something to come her way. Eventually it did. Harika had slight initiative at the cost of a pawn. Normal play in the middle game would have yielded a decent result but in her bid to push for more, Harika went haywire with a piece sacrifice. The Bulgarian had to correctly calculate a few lines thereafter and she did not falter.

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Women's World Chess Championship 2012: Harika to Play Zhao Xue for Quarter Final Tiebreak Today

MANSIYSK (Russia): Grandmaster D Harika played a sensational game to survived the match against Zhao Xue of China in the Quarter Finals of the Women's World Chess Championship on Wednesday. After drawing the first round, Harika played with white and missed serious tactical chances. However, a late blunder by Zhao in a completely winning position allowed Harika to escape with a draw through perpetual checks.

 

Anna Ushenina of Ukraine made it to the semifinals defeating fancied Nadezhda Kosintseva of Russia in the second game. Ushenina won by 1.5-0.5 and sent back the last remaining Russian in the championship. Harika remains in the championship as the last Indian in the fray since the ouster of top-rated Koneru Humpy in the first round.

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Harika in Quarter-Finals of Women's World Chess Championship 2012 in Khanty Mansiysk

KHANTY MANSIYSK (Russia): Grandmaster D Harika marched her way to the last-eight stage of the World Women's Chess Championship after disposing the challenge of Lela Javakhishvili of Georgia in the second game of the third round.

 

After drawing the first game easily with black, Harika played to her strength and outwitted Javakhishvili. The 1.5-0.5 victory also helped Harika gained some rating points apart from more assured prize money.

After the exit of top three seeds, fourth seed Zhao Xue of China also made it to the quarters following a victory over Mariya Muzychuk of Ukraine.

Like Harika, Xue had also drawn the first game as black and a victory ensured her passage to the next round. Harika and Xue will meet in the next round now.

The championship this year is played on a knockout basis and highest rated Koneru Humpy, defending champion Yifan Hou of China and third seed Anna Muzychuk of Slovenia were ousted in the second round itself.

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Kazan Chess Round 8 Game: Koneru Humpy-Antoaneta Stefanova 1-0

India's Koneru Humpy

India's most talented woman chess player and current world #3 Koneru Humpy beat reigning women's rapid chess champion and former women's world chess champion Antoaneta Stefanova in a nice game in Round 8. At the press conference, Humpy said, "I played this Panov variation for the first time in my life. I was not sure what I shall do after b5. If I take Nb5 black will play Rb8 and will have some counter play and compensation for the pawn. I think my opponent should have played 19…Nf6 instead of 19…Rd8 because after d6 and Nd5 I got a better position. It was clear there are some exact moves which lead to a win after 28. Qd3 h5 but I didn’t find anything better than 29.Rc3 and 30.Rc1. after 32.Rf8 it was lost for black."

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Kazan Chess Round 6: Armenia's Elina Danielian Maintains Sole Lead With Win Over Nadezhda Kosintseva

Armenia's Elina Danielian is on a roll at the Women's Chess Grand Prix Series 2011-2012 in Kazan. Scoring back to back victories, she maintains her sole lead after six rounds. Anna Muzychuk, who had caught up with Danielian in joint lead, could only score a draw in the sixth round against a very determined former women's world chess champion Alexandra Kosteniuk. The tense game could only end in a draw.

 

Tatiana Kosintseva - Elina Danielian 0-1 

Antoaneta Stefanova-Hou Yifan 0-1

Meanwhile, Katerina Lahno playing with Black tried her best to gain advantage of Alisa Galliamova's badly placed Knight and scored the win with the latter coming under time pressure. Tatiana Kosintseva scored the first win for herself by beating Betul Yildiz. Yildiz's only win in the tournament has actually come against top seed women's world chess champion Hou Yifan. The Turkish player underestimated Black’s Queenside attack.

In the other games, women's world chess champion China's Hou Yifan obtained a better middlegame position against former women's world chess champion Bulgaria's Antoaneta Stefanova. Yifan then went on to implement a decisive attack and win. Another tense game, Koneru-Cmilte, finished in a draw.

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 are placed 6-7 with 3 points each. Alexandra Kosteniuk, Tatiana Kosintseva and Antoaneta Stefanova are at 8 – 10 spots with 2.5 points. Alisa Galliamova is currently eleventh with 2 points, followed by Betul Yildiz with 1 point. 

You can watch the Kazan chess games live at the official website from India time 4.30 pm. (Photos by Rashit Shiriyazdanov and Anastasiya Karlovich/Kazan Women's Chess Grand Prix official website.)

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Kazan Chess Round 4: Danielian in Sole Lead; Hou Loses to Cmilyte

The Kazan Chess Grand Prix Round 4 saw an upset for Women's World Chess Champion Hou Yifan as she lost to Viktorija Cmilyte. 

Viktorija Cmilyte - Hou Yifan

This is the second loss for the Chinese chess prodigy in the tournament. Meanwhile, Elina Danielian sacrificed an exchange with White and beat Tatiana Kosintseva. Humpy Koneru and Betul Yildiz were both struggling against time when Yildiz lost track and Koneru capitalised to win the point. Alisa Galliamova lost to Nadezhda Kosintseva. Two exciting games with fortunes swinging were played out for a draw by Anna Muzychuk - Katerina Lahno and Alexandra Kosteniuk – Antoaneta Stefanova. 

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Kazan Chess Grand Prix Round 3: Muzychuk, Danielian Lead

Hou Yifan versus Tatiana Kosintseva
in Round 3 of Kazan Chess Grand Prix

Fighting chess continued at the Fide Women's Chess Grand Prix in Kazan Round 3. There were four decisive games on the third day of play. Alexandra Kosteniuk and Alisa Galliamova lost their games in tough fights against Nadezhda Kosintseva and Viktorija Cmilyte respectively. Viktorija Cmilyte went for fireworks and beat the Russian. Kosteniuk was in a comfortable position and could have pulled off a draw in an entertaining game, but tried a risky line as usual fighting for 78 moves - the longest game of the third round. Elina Danielian lost to Betul Yildiz and Hou Yifan beat Tatiana Kosintseva with black.

Standings after Round 3 
1-3. Anna Muzychuk, Elina Danielian 2
4-10. Viktorija Cmilyte, Nadehda Kosintseva, Antoaneta Stefanova, Kateryna Lahno, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Koneru Humpy, Alisa Galliamova 1.5
11-12. Betul Yildiz, Tatiana Kosintseva 1

You can watch the Kazan Chess Grand Prix for Women Live at the official website daily from India time 4.30 pm.

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Kazan Chess Grand Prix for Women - Watch Live 4.40 pm India Time

Koneru Humpy takes on Hou Yifan in Round 1 at Kazan Chess Grand Prix

Kazan Chess Grand Prix can be watched live from India time 4.30 pm India time from today at the official website. The opening ceremony took place on Saturday for the fourth part of the FIDE Women’s Chess Grand Prix Series 2011-2012 at the very beautiful Korston Hotel in Kazan, Russia. Twelve players representing nine countries are taking part in the event including women's world chess champion Hou Yifan and former women's world chess champions Alexandra Kosteniuk and Antoaneta Stefanova. Also taking part are the women's chess current numbers three and four by rating - Anna Muzychuk and Humpy Koneru. Four participants who represent the National Russian team and are the present Olympiad champions - Tatiana Kosintseva, Nadezhda Kosintseva, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Alisa Galliamova - are also in the lineup. 

Here is the complete list of participants that makes this one of the strongest gathering of women's chess players in recent times. You can click on the links to see each player's Fide rating card.

Participants
1. Hou Yifan GM CHN 2623
10. Anna Muzychuk GM SLO 2598
7. Tatiana Kosintseva GM RUS 2532
6. Nadezhda Kosintseva GM RUS 2528
11. Antoaneta Stefanova GM BUL 2518
2. Viktorija Cmilyte GM LTU 2508
5. Alisa Galliamova WGM RUS 2484
8. Alexandra Kosteniuk GM RUS 2457
4. Humpy Koneru GM IND 2589
9. Kateryna Lahno GM UKR 2546
3. Elina Danielian GM ARM 2484
12. Betul Cemre Yildiz WGM TUR 2333

The opening ceremony of the Kazan Chess Grand Prix was attended by the first President of the Republic of Tatarstan State Advisor of the Republic of Tatarstan, Senior Advisor to the FIDE President Mr. M. Shaimiev, Chief Executive Officer of FIDE Mr. G. Borg, assistant to FIDE President Mr. B. Balgabaev and distinguished guests. We can look forward to an exciting fortnight ahead of chess. Games will be played every day from India time 4.30 pm with rest days from chess being on June 14 (Thursday) and June 19 (Tuesday). 


Sunday's Round 1 pairings are as follows:
Elina Danielian – Anna Muzychuk
Humpy Koneru – Hou Yifan
Betul Yildiz – Alisa Galliamova
Tatiana Kosintseva – Alexandra Kosteniuk
Viktorija Cmilyte – Katerina Lahno
Nadezhda Kosintseva – Antoaneta Stefanova

(Photos and inputs by Anastasiya Karlovich with kind 

permission of FIDE via the Kazan Chess Grand Prix official website.)

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Kazan Chess Grand Prix for Women from June 9 with Hou Yifan, Anna Muzychuk, Koneru Humpy as Top Seeds

Women's World Chess Champion Hou Yifan of China top seed in Kazan Women's Chess Grand Prix - 4th stage

Apart from the 7th Mikhail Tal Chess Memorial that begins today, we have another big chess event beginning in Kazan, Russia from June 9. It is the Women's Chess Grand Prix - fourth in the series of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix 2011-2012. Twelve top women chess players of the world are taking part in the round robin event including the current Women's World Chess Champion Hou Yifan of China. 

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Russia's Valentina Gunina Wins Women's World Blitz Chess Championship 2012 in Batumi, Georgia; Natalia Zhukova, Anna Muzychuk Tie for Second

Valentina Gunina

Russian chess player Valentina Gunina has won the Women's World Blitz Chess Championship in Batumi, Georgia. On the second day of play, on Wednesday, she amassed a total of 13 points out of 15 rounds. Earlier, this year, Gunina had also won the European Women's Women's Blitz Chess Championship and the European Women's Championship in classical chess.

Second place went to Natalia Zhukova of Ukraine and third place went to Anna Muzychuk of Slovakia. Both tied for the second place with 10.5 points. Russia's Alexandra Kosteniuk was a trifle unlucky to miss out on the medals with her fourth place at 10 points. Kosteniuk had won the silver medal in the women's world rapid chess a day earlier. Bulgaria's Antoaneta Stefanova had to settle for the fifth place with 9.5 points. Stefanova had won the gold medal a day earlier in the rapid section.

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World Chess Rapid Winners Stefanova, Kosteniuk, Koneru Press Conference Video

Former women's world chess champion Antoaneta Stefanova has just won the Women's World Rapid Chess Championship in Batumi, Georgia. Another former women's world chess champion Alexandra Kosteniuk won the silver medal. India's best woman chess player ever Koneru Humpy won the bronze. Here is the press conference video of the three super women chess players.





The women's world chess championship in blitz has also begun at Batumi. You can watch the second day's play live at the official website from India time 4.30 pm.

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World Blitz Chess for Women in Batumi - Watch Live Today at India Time 4.30 pm

Top seed
Anna Muzychuk

The Women's World Blitz Chess Championship 2012 begins in Batumi, Georgia within a few hours today and you can watch all the action live at the official website of the event: http://e2e4.ge/index.html. Fifty players are taking part including India's Koneru Humpy who is the second seed and Harika Dronavalli who is seeded ninth. Top seed is Anna Muzychuk of Slovakia.

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Humpy Wins Bronze at Batumi Women's World Rapid Chess Championship 2012; Harika Creditable Sixth

Congrats to Humpy
for winning bronze

Bulgaria's former women's world chess champion has won the Batumi Women's World Rapid Championship with another former women's world chess champion, Alexandra Kosteniuk, winning the silver. India's Koneru Humpy, the challenger to the women's world chess champion title, finished a creditable third. India's other player, Harika Dronavalli, finished with a great show at sixth place.

The Women’s World Rapid and Blitz Championship 2012 was held from May 30 to June 6 at the Sheraton Hotel, Batumi, Georgia. It was an 11 rounds Swiss tournament with time control 25 mins + 10 sec per move. Every woman chess player with an elo of 2500+ in one of the official FIDE rating lists as well as all former World Chess Champions and Olympic Chess Champions had the right to participate in the Championship.

Final Standings

1		GM	Stefanova Antoaneta	BUL	2518	8.5	61.5
2		GM	Kosteniuk Alexandra	RUS	2457	8.0	61.5
3		GM	Koneru Humpy	IND	2589	8.0	60.5
4		GM	Lahno Kateryna	UKR	2546	8.0	57.5
5		GM	Muzychuk Anna	SLO	2598	7.5	59.5
6		GM	Harika Dronavalli	IND	2508	7.5	53.0
7		GM	Dzagnidze Nana	GEO	2547	7.0	53.0
8		GM	Cramling Pia	SWE	2478	6.5	57.5
9		GM	Zhao Xue	CHN	2549	6.5	56.0
10		WGM	Guo Qi	CHN	2360	6.5	56.0
11		IM	Paehtz Elisabeth	GER	2491	6.5	54.5
12		WGM	Tan Zhongyi	CHN	2430	6.5	54.0
13		IM	Javakhishvili Lela	GEO	2449	6.5	52.0
14		GM	Zhukova Natalia	UKR	2442	6.5	52.0
15		GM	Zhu Chen	QAT	2491	6.5	52.0
16		GM	Kosintseva Tatiana	RUS	2532	6.5	48.0
17		WGM	Huang Qian	CHN	2417	6.0	62.5
18		IM	Khurtsidze Nino	GEO	2456	6.0	58.5
19			Wang Jue	CHN	2364	6.0	55.5
20		IM	Gunina Valentina	RUS	2530	6.0	54.5
21		IM	Mkrtchian Lilit	ARM	2449	6.0	51.0
22		IM	Ushenina Anna	UKR	2454	5.5	52.0
23		GM	Arakhamia-Grant Ketevan	SCO	2426	5.5	51.0
24		WGM	Batsiashvili Nino	GEO	2436	5.5	50.0
25		IM	Melia Salome	GEO	2410	5.5	46.0
26		WGM	Pogonina Natalija	RUS	2447	5.5	46.0
27		GM	Danielian Elina	ARM	2484	5.5	45.0
28		IM	Khukhashvili Sopiko	GEO	2414	5.5	43.0
29		IM	Gvetadze Sofio	GEO	2338	5.0	53.0
30		IM	Muzychuk Mariya	UKR	2456	5.0	51.0
31		GM	Chiburdanidze Maia	GEO	2500	5.0	49.5
32		WGM	Cori T Deysi	PER	2386	5.0	47.5
33		WGM	Ding Yixin	CHN	2353	5.0	45.0
34		IM	Purtseladze Maka	GEO	2348	5.0	44.0
35		IM	Krush Irina	USA	2457	5.0	43.0
36		IM	Lomineishvili Maia	GEO	2366	5.0	41.5
37		IM	Kovalevskaya Ekaterina	RUS	2417	4.5	48.5
38		GM	Socko Monika	POL	2484	4.5	48.0
39		WGM	Mammadova Gulnar	AZE	2345	4.5	47.5
40		IM	Matnadze Ana	ESP	2446	4.5	44.0
41		WIM	Mikadze Miranda	GEO	2323	4.5	41.5
42		WIM	Arabidze Meri	GEO	2351	4.5	41.0
43		WGM	Charkhalashvili Inga	GEO	2334	4.5	41.0
44		WIM	Janjghava Natia	GEO	2306	4.0	42.0
45		IM	Klinova Masha	ISR	2318	3.5	46.0
46		IM	Khotenashvili Bela	GEO	2500	3.5	44.5
47		IM	Gurieli Nino	GEO	2329	3.5	40.5
48		WIM	Umudova Nargiz	AZE	2231	3.0	39.5
49		WIM	Bezgodova Svetlana	RUS	2120	2.5	44.5
50		GM	Gaprindashvili Nona	GEO	2356	2.0	39.0

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