The FIDE Women World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2014 started today at the Ugra Chess Academy in Khanty-Mansiysk, with former Olympic Champion in biathlon Evgeniy Redkin making the first honorary move in the game Gunina – Khotenashvili.
34 female players from 14 countries are competing for the title and prize fund of $50,000.
After the five rounds in the World Rapid Championship Russian Grandmaster Tatiana Kosintseva is leading the standings with 4,5/5 points. She started with a draw against her compatriot Karina Ambartsumova, but then followed with an impressive string of four victories, including the round five clash against the then leader Kateryna Lagno.
Mariya Muzychuk won a nice positional game against Elisabeth Paehtz, and Alexandra Kosteniuk defeated the defending Rapid champion Antoaneta Stefanova to join Lagno on the shared second place with 4,0/5 points each.
The biggest surprise of the day is the score of top-rated Valentina Gunina who has only 2,0/5 points.
The event continues over the next two days for a total of 15 rounds, with a single game for each round.
Former world champion Alexandra Kosteniuk and former European champion Pia Cramling celebrated birthdays and were presented with flowers by the Organizing Committee.
Top round six pairings are Kosteniuk, Alexandra – Kosintseva, Tatiana, Lagno, Kateryna – Muzychuk, Mariya, Ushenina, Anna – Dzagnidze, Nana and Stefanova, Antoaneta – Girya, Olga.
Live games with analysis / Official website
Tatiana Kosintseva
Tatiana Kosintseva said: “I don’t feel any tiredness after the Women Grand Prix. I enjoy blitz and rapid chess. Also, I didn’t take part in tournaments for a while and became hungry for chess. So I play with passion here.”
Pia Cramling stated: “This tournament is very lovely for me, it is important that we continue this tradition. The last rapid and blitz championship was held in 2012 but I’d like to have such events every year because they are very exciting and spectacular, we need to have it.”
Alexandra Kosteniuk on her birthday: “My relatives and friends called me in the morning with congratulations. Actually, birthday is always a little sad – it means you lived another year of your life… And this is why I enjoy playing chess on my birthday so much – it leaves no time for sadness. You go and play, you live and do the things you love.”
Anastasya Karlovich and Alexandra Kosteniuk
