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Chengdu Grand Prix R10: Koneru and Khotenashvili win, Harika leads |
In the penultimate round of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix in Chengdu, China, Harika Dronavalli held a draw against Zhao Xue and maintained the narrow lead heading into the final round.
Her compatriot Koneru Humpy defeated the former world champion Mariya Muzychuk and is back to the shared second place with Antoaneta Stefanova.
Bela Khotenashvili won against Pia Cramling and the remaining games were drawn.
Photo gallery and round 10 standings are updated. Games are available for replay. The final round start at 12h local time.
Koneru and Stefanova are paired against each other, while Harika is playing white against Olga Girya.
The ceremonial first move of today's round was made by Ms. Huang Yan, President of the Chinese Academy of International College.
Muzychuk Mariya - Koneru Humpy 0-1
Mariya wanted to try something unusual against the Modern defence but Koneru easily achieved equal play.
Black started to press the advanced e5-pawn and after white allowed 22...d4 it was obvious that her position is bad.
Mariya clearly had a bad day as several mistakes followed and Koneru had no trouble to bring the victory home.
Khotenashvili Bela - Cramling Pia 1-0
Cramling employed the same defence that Khotenashvili used earlier against Stefanova.
Black appeared to have better development but 15...h6 was a bit too slow, according to Cramling. She should have played 15...e6.
Despite missing the crushing 25.Ba7 white still won an exchange and later proceeded to convert the advantage.
Zhao Xue - Harika Dronavalli ½-½
Stefanova Antoaneta - Muzychuk Anna ½-½
Girya Olga - Ju Wenjun ½-½
Tan Zhongyi - Javakhishvili Lela ½-½ |
