|
Valentina Gunina wins Women GP in Batumi with one round to go |
By winning the key game against Zhao Xue in the 10th round Valentina Gunina ensured the victory in the Women Grand Prix in Batumi. The nearest trailers, who could have tried to get some chances to fight for the first place, either lost or finished their games in draws. Nana Dzagnidze lost an important point against Alexandra Kosteniuk, Nino Batsiashvili drew with Almira Skripchenko, while Anna Muzychuk could not achieve more than a draw in the longest game of the round against Olga Girya. Lela Javakhishvili missed good winning chances against Maria Muzychuk.The encounter between Bela Khotenashvili and Elina Danielian finished in a draw.
Before the last round Valentina Gunina is unreachable with 7 out 10 points. Zhao Xue, Anna Muzychuk, Nino Batsiashvili and Alexandra Kosteniuk share the second place.
Alexandra Kosteniuk – Nana Dzagnidze 1:0
Nana Dzagnidze decided to start the game with 1...e5 once again and the Filidor Defence appeared on the board. White got quite comfortable position and slowly tried to increase the pressure. However, Nana's position was solid enough and Black were not really in trouble until she misplayed on 29th move.
After the game both players agreed, that Black should not avoid changing the rooks. After 29...Rc8 30. Nd5 White centralized her king and got decisive advantage due to better placement of the pieces.
Valentina Gunina – Zhao Xue 1:0
What seemed like an easy victory for Valentina today, could have been a tough and interesting fight if Zhao Xue chose the right continuation on move 27.
Zhao Xue missed that after 27...Re1 Valentina Gunina has 28.Rd7! Nd7 29. Qb7 and White has too many extra pawns.
Instead of the move in the game Black had to play 27...Be6.28.Qa4 Ra1!
Anna Muzychuk – Olga Girya 1/2-1/2
Anna needed to win a game today in order to have at least theoretical chances to fight for the first place. She chose an aggressive plan on the King's side but Olga Girya was defending very solidly.
After hard-fought middle game White managed to win a pawn but it was hard to convert the material advantage in the rook ending with all pawns on the same side. Nevertheless, both players made 80 moves more to prove that position is totally drawish.
Almira Skripchenko-Nino Batsiashvili 1/2:1/2
According to Almira, she didn't feel well and, even though she got a pleasant position in a tricky line of Scotch Defence, she didn't have enough strength to fight until naked kings today. After the numerous exchanges the game ended in a draw.
Lela Javakhishvili – Maria Muzychuk 1/2:1/2
Lela managed to get stable advantage in the opening and Maria Muzychuk decided to sacrifice a pawn to complicate the game. It seems that Black didn't manage to get enough compensation for the pawn and in the following ending Lela had decisive advantage. Playing under time pressure, Lela made a mistake and Maria was lucky to save half a point.
|
