Aleksandra Goryachkina extends her lead
Aleksandra Goyachkina extends her lead in the eight round.
The second half of the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament started in Kazan on Sunday. It means the players will now face the same opponents but with reversed colours.
Aleksandra Goryachkina defeated her teammate Alexandra Kosteniuk to increase her tournament lead to 2 points. Goryachkina, who is the youngest participant in the Candidates, has now won 5 games.
Kateryna Lagno drew against Valentina Gunina and remained in the second place. Tan Zhongyi, who lost three games in a row, struck back in the game against Nana Dzagnidze. Anna and Mariya Muzychuk drew their second game in the tournament.
After eight rounds, Goryachkina has 6.5 points. Kateryna Lagno is in second place with 4.5 points, and Nana Dzagnidze is third with 4 points. Tan Zhongyi, Valentina Gunina and the Muzychuk sisters have 3. 5 points, while Alexandra Kosteniuk has 3 points.
Aleksandra Goryachkina v Alexandra Kosteniuk
Aleksandra Goryachkina got a comfortable position against Aleksandra Kosteniuk in the Vienna Variation of the Queens Gambit. It seems the former Women’s World Champion lost track of the game after Goryachkina went for the main line 26.e5. “Even though my position was unpleasant, I think I had some chances, but I just could not do anything”, said Alexandra Kosteniuk after the game. Aleksandra increased her initiative gradually and grabbed one more decisive victory in this Candidates.
Aleksandra Goryachkina v Alexandra Kosteniuk
Valentina Guniva v Kateryna Lagno
Valentina Gunina chose a rare line in Ruy Lopez. Nevertheless, both players seemed satisfied with their position in the middlegame. Katerina Lagno went for numerous exchanges, and the situation remained balanced also in the endgame. Both players agreed to a draw just before the time control. “Yesterday’s game against Nana was tough and long, so I decided to play safe today”, explained Kateryna.
Valentina Gunina v Kateryna Lagno
Nana Dzagnidze v Tan Zhongyi
It was not only Kateryna Lagno who felt tired after her encounter in round seven. Nana Dzagnidze claimed the same in today’s post-game interview. Against Tan Zhongyi, she went for a position with Rook and Bishop vs Queen, trying to prove she had enough compensation. However a few moves later Nana blundered in a simple tactic, which led to a completely lost position. “I missed the 30.Rg6 and 31.Qc4 idea. This line had come to my attention earlier but then I just forgot about it! I could have played 28…a5 instead of 28…Rb1 and the game would have continued after that.”
Nana Dzagnidze v Tan Zhongyi
The ninth round will take place on Monday, June 10th at 15:00 local time. The pairings will be as follows.
Alexandra Kosteniuk — Kateryna Lagno.
Valentina Gunina — Aleksandra Goryachkina.
Mariya Muzychuk — Tan Zhongyi.
Nana Dzagnidze — Anna Muzychuk.
Links
Goryakina extends her lead in round 8.
Rest day at the Women’s Candidate Tournament.
Goryakina extends her lead in round 6.
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.
