The Hou Yifan Express turned into a jet-propelled aircraft after today’s win over her main contender for the 1st place in Khanty-Mansiysk FIDE Grand Prix.
In a very entertaining and sharp game, the Chinese claimed the victory against the Russian Olga Girya and is now on 7,5/9 points, enjoying a two points lead of the second place.
The amazing string of victories of the Russian star, Olga Girya, was disturbed today by the tournament leader, yet she is the only one who technically can still catch up with Hou Yifan, as she is alone with 5,5/9 on the second position.
Hou Yifan and Olga Girya
Still on the third place but now shared with two more players, is Anna Muzychuk, who lost against Alexandra Kosteniuk. The Russian GM joined her on 5/9, the same as the Georgian GM, Nana Dzagnidze, after mercilessly defeating Antoaneta Stefanova right on her birthday.
Only two players are on 50%: Anna Ushenina and Kateryna Lagno, who both failed to break the defense of Batchimeg Tuvshintugs and Nafisa Muminova, respectively.
For the Uzbek player, Khanty Mansiysk will have a special place in the drawers of memory, as it was here she scored her last needed third IM norm, after holding Kateryna Lagno to a draw.
Just half a point behind, with 4/9 are: Nafisa Muminova, Zhao Xue and Antoaneta Stefanova, followed by Tatiana Kosintseva on 3 points and Batchimeg Tuvshintugs with 2.
Round 9 results:
GM Muzychuk Anna 2560 0 – 1 GM Kosteniuk Alexandra 2527
GM Hou Yifan 2618 1 – 0 WGM Girya Olga 2450
GM Kosintseva Tatiana 2496 ½ – ½ GM Zhao Xue 2552
WGM Batchimeg Tuvshintugs 2340 ½ – ½ GM Ushenina Anna 2501
GM Dzagnidze Nana 2550 1 – 0 GM Stefanova Antoaneta 2489
GM Lagno Kateryna 2543 ½ – ½ WGM Muminova Nafisa 2321
Round 10 pairings:
GM Kosteniuk Alexandra 2527 – WGM Muminova Nafisa 2321
GM Stefanova Antoaneta 2489 – GM Lagno Kateryna 2543
GM Ushenina Anna 2501 – GM Dzagnidze Nana 2550
GM Zhao Xue 2552 – WGM Batchimeg Tuvshintugs 2340
WGM Girya Olga 2450 – GM Kosintseva Tatiana 2496
GM Muzychuk Anna 2560 – GM Hou Yifan 2618
