Aleksandra Goryachina extends her lead
Nana Dzagnidze of Georgia in a decisive encounter succumbed in the sixth round to Aleksandra Goryachina of Russia. The victory means that Aleksandra now leads with a clear 1.5 points.
The other three games also finished decisively in this round of the FIDE Women’s Candidates tournament.
Anna Muzychuk defeated Valentina Gunina, while her sister Mariya outplayed Alexandra Kosteniuk.
Tan Zhongyi lost a second game in a row, this time against Kateryna Lagno of Russia.
Goryachkina now has 5 points, which is 1.5 points more than Dzagnidze and Lagno. Tan Zhongyi, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Mariya Muzychuk and Anna Muzychuk have 2.5 points. Valentina Gunina has 2 points.
Aleksandra Goryahina v Nana Dzagnidze
The game between Aleksandra Goryahina and Nana Dzagnidze was a real thriller. Nana Dzagnidze gained a decisive advantage after a long positional fight up to the middle game. Aleksandra, however, put up a stubborn defence while trying to create counter chances. Nana Dzagnidze failed to find the precise moves at the critical moment and went for a dubious Knight sacrifice.
Aleksandra Goryahina v Nana Dzagnidze
Valentina Gunina v Anna Muzychuk
Valentina Gunina chose her primary weapon- the Caro-Kann against Anna Muzychuk. Black’s long manoeuvre Ne7-Nc8-Nd6 allowed White to obtain a good initiative on the Kingside. After Anna won a pawn and started to push her passed e-pawn, the position became desperate for Black.
Valentina Gunina v Anna Muzychuk
Mariya Muzychuk v Alexandra Kosteniuk
Mariya Muzychuk against Alexandra Kosteniuk was a relatively quiet English Opening. According to Alexandra, she got a comfortable position with Black and was playing well until a few moves before the time control. Mariya came up with an exchange sacrifice and got two strong passed pawns in return, which eventually decided the outcome of the game.
Mariya Muzychuk v Alexandra Kosteniuk
Tan Zhongyi v Kateryna Lagno
The game between Tan Zhongyi and Kateryna Lagno was another thriller. Tan Zhongyi had an advantage due to the better coordination of her pieces. Kateryna Lagno however, later on, managed to come back into the game. The Russian player found neat tactical recourse, which allowed her to get the ending with a Rook and three Pawns against two pieces. The Chinese player was close to offering a draw after Kateryna sacrificed her Rook but failed to find the precise moves. Kateryna Lagno profited from a mistake by her opponent on the move 70 and thus scored an important point.
Tan Zhongyi v Kateryna Lagno
Seventh Round
Friday is a rest day. Saturday, June 8th at 15:00 local time the seventh round will be played.
Alexandra Kosteniuk — Anna Muzychuk.
Aleksandra Goryachkina— Mariya Muzychuk.
Kateryna Lagno — Nana Dzagnidze.
Valentina Gunina — Tan Zhongyi.
Links
Goryakina grabs the lead in the Women’s Candidate Tournament.
Promotional video for the 2019 Women’s Candidates Tournament done by Kim Bhari.
Article on the Opening Ceremony.
2019 Women’s Candidates Chess Tournament official website.
Draw of Women’s Candidate Tournament.
