Some coverage on the recently concluded Girls U-20 World Chess Championship in Poland. USA's Alisa Melekhina is mentioned for her top-10 finish (best by a US player since 1999) but you wouldn't know it by reading the title of the article!
Chess: Dmitry Andreikin wins world junior title
Los Angeles Times
By Jack Peters, Special to the Los Angeles Times
August 22, 2010
The Russian Women's Team in the China v. Russia match gets mentioned in a New York Times article: The Russian women beat the Chinese women, 64 to 61. Yep, that's it. The rest of the article is about the games of the second-string Russian Men's Team. Go figure.
Chess
In Race for Global Dominance, China Is Gaining on Russia
By DYLAN LOEB McCLAIN
Published: August 22, 2010
A new column by GM Susan Polgar is available at Lubbock Online. This week she pays tribute to the graduating members of the Knight Raiders Chess Team at Texas Tech and provides an indepth analysis of a game from the FIDE Women's Grand Prix at Jermuk held earlier this year, in which Nan Dzagnidze ran away with the tournament. Antoaneta Stefanova – Nana Dzagnidze.
Lubbock Online
(Lubbock Avalance Journal)
Polgar: A fond farewell to the graduating Texas Tech Knight Raiders
August 21, 2010
This next is not chess-femme related news, but it mentions a player I developed a fondness for way back in 1999 when FIDE staged a Knock-Out World Chess Championship in August in Las Vegas. The ultimate winner was GM Alexander Khalifman. Khalifman was mentioned today in Andy Solstis's column at the New York Post online:
Double blunder-itis
By ANDY SOLTIS
Last Updated: 8:05 AM, August 22, 2010
Does anyone remember the K-O Championship of 1999? Probably not.
But I won't ever forget it, because it was the first and only chess tournament I've ever attended, and it was the one and only time I was within touching distance of chess stars like GM Judit Polgar, GM Alexei Shirov (who was very cute back them, but then, weren't we all!), GM Michael Adams who had no grey hair back then and his nose seemed must shorter than it does now, and GM Vladimir Akopian, who was quite the hunk in 1999, etc. etc. I was in the live audience watching quarter-final play at Caesar's Palace on Friday, August 13, 1999. Polgar was playing against Khalifman, whom I didn't know anything about. She needed a win to stay in the championship but could only muster a draw and with that, she was out of the tournament. Khalifman would go on to win the K-O title.
Well, back in those days I didn't know a thing about chess - and I still don't - but then, as now, that didn't stop me writing about it, LOL! So, if you are interested, I did a bunch of posts at the old Art Bell message board, the fore-runner of a blog) which we saved, and I also compiled some interesting commentary on the 1999 K-O by renowned chess writers. I still find it lots of fun to read over those old posts - and recall many fond memories from that trip to Las Vegas. Darlings! Who the hell goes to Las Vegas in August, the hottest time of the year in an already hot city? Only crazy people like me - and FIDE.
And if you need any proof that nothing ever changes in the world of chess politics - NOTHING - you've only to read some of the articles about the 1999 K-O to confirm that, as Solomon said, there is nothing new under the Sun...
Vegas Views from Chess Cafe's "Skittles Room" Archive - by Hanon W. Russell
High Anxiety from Chess Cafe's "Dutch Treat" Archives, August, 1999 - by Hans Ree
Las Vegas: Surprise, surprise!! from Chess Cafe's "An Arbiter's Notebook" Archives, September, 1999 - by Geurt Gijssen
Is Khalifman the Real World Champion? from Chess Cafe's "The Kibitzer" Archives, September, 1999 - by Tim Harding
Odd One Out from Chess Cafe's "The Miles Report" Archives, September, 1999 - by Tony Miles
Chess writer and columnist Manisha Mohite writes this week at the Deccan Herald online about proper use of a Queen sacrifice - great stuff even if I understand perhaps one ounce of it.
Chess Checks
Make full use of the Queen sacrifice
Manisha Mohite, August 22
The Queen is the most powerful and attractive piece on the chessboard and games always become interesting and exciting after this piece is sacrificed.
Showing posts with label 2010 FIDE Women's Grand Prix. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2010 FIDE Women's Grand Prix. Show all posts
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
2010 FIDE 5th Women's Grand Prix - Ulaanbaatar
And the winner is --- GM Hou Yifan, by half a point, after agreeing to a draw with GM Antoaneta Stefanova, to secure first and second places. GM Humpy Koneru also drew with Xu Yuhua to secure third place for herself.
R11 results:
Stefanova, Antoaneta - Hou Yifan ½-½ 60 A14 Reti Opening
Zhao Xue - Sebag, Marie ½-½ 51 D45 Anti-Meran Variations
Kosintseva, Tatiana - Yildiz, Betul Cemre 1-0 39 C78 Ruy Lopez Moeller Defence
Chiburdanidze, Maia - Shen Yang ½-½ 14 E06 Catalan
Xu Yuhua - Koneru, Humpy ½-½ 60 B80 Sicilian Scheveningen
Munguntuul, Batkhuyag - Zhu Chen 0-1 63 C60 Ruy Lopez
Final Standings:
5th FIDE GP w Ulaanbaatar (MGL), 30 vii-11 viii 2010 cat. X (2487)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2
1. Hou Yifan g CHN 2577 * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 1 1 8 2654
2. Stefanova, Antoaneta g BUL 2560 ½ * 0 0 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 1 1 1 7½ 2613
3. Koneru, Humpy g IND 2600 ½ 1 * 0 ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 0 ½ 6½ 2542
4. Zhao Xue g CHN 2462 ½ 1 1 * 0 1 0 0 1 ½ ½ 1 6½ 2554
5. Kosintseva, Tatiana m RUS 2562 ½ 0 ½ 1 * ½ ½ ½ 1 0 1 1 6½ 2545
6. Chiburdanidze, Maia g GEO 2514 ½ ½ 0 0 ½ * 1 ½ 0 1 1 1 6 2521
7. Xu Yuhua g CHN 2488 0 0 ½ 1 ½ 0 * ½ ½ ½ 1 1 5½ 2487
8. Shen Yang wg CHN 2435 ½ 0 0 1 ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ 0 1 5 2456
9. Zhu Chen g QAT 2476 0 ½ ½ 0 0 1 ½ ½ * 1 1 0 5 2452
10. Sebag, Marie g FRA 2519 0 0 0 ½ 1 0 ½ ½ 0 * 1 ½ 4 2382
11. Munguntuul, Batkhuyag wg MGL 2421 0 0 1 ½ 0 0 0 1 0 0 * 1 3½ 2360
12. Yildiz, Betul Cemre wm TUR 2235 0 0 ½ 0 0 0 0 0 1 ½ 0 * 2 2248
What's up with Tatiana Kosintseva? She is way too thin.
R11 results:
Stefanova, Antoaneta - Hou Yifan ½-½ 60 A14 Reti Opening
Zhao Xue - Sebag, Marie ½-½ 51 D45 Anti-Meran Variations
Kosintseva, Tatiana - Yildiz, Betul Cemre 1-0 39 C78 Ruy Lopez Moeller Defence
Chiburdanidze, Maia - Shen Yang ½-½ 14 E06 Catalan
Xu Yuhua - Koneru, Humpy ½-½ 60 B80 Sicilian Scheveningen
Munguntuul, Batkhuyag - Zhu Chen 0-1 63 C60 Ruy Lopez
5th FIDE GP w Ulaanbaatar (MGL), 30 vii-11 viii 2010 cat. X (2487)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2
1. Hou Yifan g CHN 2577 * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 1 1 8 2654
2. Stefanova, Antoaneta g BUL 2560 ½ * 0 0 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 1 1 1 7½ 2613
3. Koneru, Humpy g IND 2600 ½ 1 * 0 ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 0 ½ 6½ 2542
4. Zhao Xue g CHN 2462 ½ 1 1 * 0 1 0 0 1 ½ ½ 1 6½ 2554
5. Kosintseva, Tatiana m RUS 2562 ½ 0 ½ 1 * ½ ½ ½ 1 0 1 1 6½ 2545
6. Chiburdanidze, Maia g GEO 2514 ½ ½ 0 0 ½ * 1 ½ 0 1 1 1 6 2521
7. Xu Yuhua g CHN 2488 0 0 ½ 1 ½ 0 * ½ ½ ½ 1 1 5½ 2487
8. Shen Yang wg CHN 2435 ½ 0 0 1 ½ ½ ½ * ½ ½ 0 1 5 2456
9. Zhu Chen g QAT 2476 0 ½ ½ 0 0 1 ½ ½ * 1 1 0 5 2452
10. Sebag, Marie g FRA 2519 0 0 0 ½ 1 0 ½ ½ 0 * 1 ½ 4 2382
11. Munguntuul, Batkhuyag wg MGL 2421 0 0 1 ½ 0 0 0 1 0 0 * 1 3½ 2360
12. Yildiz, Betul Cemre wm TUR 2235 0 0 ½ 0 0 0 0 0 1 ½ 0 * 2 2248
What's up with Tatiana Kosintseva? She is way too thin.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
2010 FIDE 5th Women's Grand Prix - Ulaanbaatar
R10 results and standings - only 1 more to go! Stefanova can win it if she defeats Hou Yifan tomorrow. Unfortunately, Humpy's loss put her out of contention. The best she can do, even with a win, is third place!
Hou Yifan - Munguntuul, Batkhuyag 1-0 44 B80 Sicilian Scheveningen
Koneru, Humpy - Zhao Xue 0-1 39 E15 Queens Indian
Shen Yang - Xu Yuhua ½-½ 24 E32 Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2
Zhu Chen - Chiburdanidze, Maia 1-0 48 E32 Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2
Sebag, Marie - Kosintseva, Tatiana 1-0 69 B69 Sicilian Rauzer
Yildiz, Betul Cemre - Stefanova, Antoaneta 0-1 39 B19 Caro Kann
1. Hou Yifan g CHN 2577 * . ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 1 1 7½ 2664
2. Stefanova, Antoaneta g BUL 2560 . * 0 0 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 1 1 1 7 2620
3. Koneru, Humpy g IND 2600 ½ 1 * 0 ½ 1 . 1 ½ 0 1 ½ 6 2548
4. Zhao Xue g CHN 2462 ½ 1 1 * 0 1 0 0 1 ½ . 1 6 2558
5. Kosintseva, Tatiana m RUS 2562 ½ 0 ½ 1 * ½ ½ ½ 1 1 0 . 5½ 2541
6. Chiburdanidze, Maia g GEO 2514 ½ ½ 0 0 ½ * 1 . 0 1 1 1 5½ 2526
7. Xu Yuhua g CHN 2488 0 0 . 1 ½ 0 * ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 5 2476
8. Shen Yang wg CHN 2435 ½ 0 0 1 ½ . ½ * ½ 0 ½ 1 4½ 2454
9. Zhu Chen g QAT 2476 0 ½ ½ 0 0 1 ½ ½ * . 1 0 4 2423
10. Munguntuul, Batkhuyag wg MGL 2421 0 0 1 ½ 0 0 0 1 . * 0 1 3½ 2385
11. Sebag, Marie g FRA 2519 0 0 0 . 1 0 ½ ½ 0 1 * ½ 3½ 2376
12. Yildiz, Betul Cemre wm TUR 2235 0 0 ½ 0 . 0 0 0 1 0 ½ * 2 2265
Final pairings:
Chiburdanidze Maia vs. Shen Yang
Munguntuul Batkhuyag vs. Zhu Chen
Stefanova Antoaneta vs. Hou Yifan
Kosintseva Tatiana vs. Yildiz Betul Cemre
Zhao Xue vs. Sebag Marie
Xu Yuhua vs. Koneru Humpy
Hou Yifan - Munguntuul, Batkhuyag 1-0 44 B80 Sicilian Scheveningen
Koneru, Humpy - Zhao Xue 0-1 39 E15 Queens Indian
Shen Yang - Xu Yuhua ½-½ 24 E32 Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2
Zhu Chen - Chiburdanidze, Maia 1-0 48 E32 Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2
Sebag, Marie - Kosintseva, Tatiana 1-0 69 B69 Sicilian Rauzer
Yildiz, Betul Cemre - Stefanova, Antoaneta 0-1 39 B19 Caro Kann
1. Hou Yifan g CHN 2577 * . ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 1 1 7½ 2664
2. Stefanova, Antoaneta g BUL 2560 . * 0 0 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 1 1 1 7 2620
3. Koneru, Humpy g IND 2600 ½ 1 * 0 ½ 1 . 1 ½ 0 1 ½ 6 2548
4. Zhao Xue g CHN 2462 ½ 1 1 * 0 1 0 0 1 ½ . 1 6 2558
5. Kosintseva, Tatiana m RUS 2562 ½ 0 ½ 1 * ½ ½ ½ 1 1 0 . 5½ 2541
6. Chiburdanidze, Maia g GEO 2514 ½ ½ 0 0 ½ * 1 . 0 1 1 1 5½ 2526
7. Xu Yuhua g CHN 2488 0 0 . 1 ½ 0 * ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 5 2476
8. Shen Yang wg CHN 2435 ½ 0 0 1 ½ . ½ * ½ 0 ½ 1 4½ 2454
9. Zhu Chen g QAT 2476 0 ½ ½ 0 0 1 ½ ½ * . 1 0 4 2423
10. Munguntuul, Batkhuyag wg MGL 2421 0 0 1 ½ 0 0 0 1 . * 0 1 3½ 2385
11. Sebag, Marie g FRA 2519 0 0 0 . 1 0 ½ ½ 0 1 * ½ 3½ 2376
12. Yildiz, Betul Cemre wm TUR 2235 0 0 ½ 0 . 0 0 0 1 0 ½ * 2 2265
Final pairings:
Chiburdanidze Maia vs. Shen Yang
Munguntuul Batkhuyag vs. Zhu Chen
Stefanova Antoaneta vs. Hou Yifan
Kosintseva Tatiana vs. Yildiz Betul Cemre
Zhao Xue vs. Sebag Marie
Xu Yuhua vs. Koneru Humpy
Monday, August 9, 2010
2010 FIDE 5th Women's Grand Prix - Ulaanbaatar
Round 9 results:
SNo. Name Rtg Res. Name Rtg SNo.
5 GM Zhu Chen 2476 ½ - ½ WGM Shen Yang 2435 12
6 GM Chiburdanidze Maia 2514 ½ - ½ GM Hou Yifan 2577 4
7 IM Munguntuul Batkhuyag 2421 1 - 0 WIM Yildiz Betul Cemre 2235 3
8 GM Stefanova Antoaneta 2560 1 - 0 GM Sebag Marie 2519 2
9 GM Kosintseva Tatiana 2562 ½ - ½ GM Koneru Humpy 2600 1
10 GM Zhao Xue 2462 0 - 1 GM Xu Yuhua 2488 11
Standings after R9:
Rank SNo. Name Rtg FED 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Pts SB Res.
1 4 GM Hou Yifan 2577 CHN * ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 1 6½ 25,00 0
2 1 GM Koneru Humpy 2600 IND ½ * 1 ½ 1 1 0 ½ 1 ½ 6 26,50 0
3 8 GM Stefanova Antoaneta 2560 BUL 0 * 1 ½ 0 1 1 1 ½ 1 6 24,25 0
4 9 GM Kosintseva Tatiana 2562 RUS ½ ½ 0 * ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 1 5½ 24,75 0
5 6 GM Chiburdanidze Maia 2514 GEO ½ 0 ½ ½ * 0 1 1 1 1 5½ 21,50 0
6 10 GM Zhao Xue 2462 CHN ½ 1 0 1 * 0 0 ½ 1 1 5 21,50 0
7 11 GM Xu Yuhua 2488 CHN 0 0 ½ 0 1 * 1 ½ ½ 1 4½ 16,00 0
8 12 WGM Shen Yang 2435 CHN ½ 0 0 ½ 1 * 0 ½ ½ 1 4 15,75 0
9 7 IM Munguntuul Batkhuyag 2421 MGL 1 0 0 0 ½ 0 1 * 0 1 3½ 14,50 0
10 5 GM Zhu Chen 2476 QAT 0 ½ ½ 0 0 ½ ½ * 1 0 3 12,75 0
11 2 GM Sebag Marie 2519 FRA 0 0 0 0 ½ ½ 1 0 * ½ 2½ 8,75 0
12 3 WIM Yildiz Betul Cemre 2235 TUR 0 ½ 0 0 0 0 0 1 ½ * 2 7,25 0
Two rounds to go. Any of the top five players could win it.
SNo. Name Rtg Res. Name Rtg SNo.
5 GM Zhu Chen 2476 ½ - ½ WGM Shen Yang 2435 12
6 GM Chiburdanidze Maia 2514 ½ - ½ GM Hou Yifan 2577 4
7 IM Munguntuul Batkhuyag 2421 1 - 0 WIM Yildiz Betul Cemre 2235 3
8 GM Stefanova Antoaneta 2560 1 - 0 GM Sebag Marie 2519 2
9 GM Kosintseva Tatiana 2562 ½ - ½ GM Koneru Humpy 2600 1
10 GM Zhao Xue 2462 0 - 1 GM Xu Yuhua 2488 11
Standings after R9:
Rank SNo. Name Rtg FED 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Pts SB Res.
1 4 GM Hou Yifan 2577 CHN * ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 1 6½ 25,00 0
2 1 GM Koneru Humpy 2600 IND ½ * 1 ½ 1 1 0 ½ 1 ½ 6 26,50 0
3 8 GM Stefanova Antoaneta 2560 BUL 0 * 1 ½ 0 1 1 1 ½ 1 6 24,25 0
4 9 GM Kosintseva Tatiana 2562 RUS ½ ½ 0 * ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 1 5½ 24,75 0
5 6 GM Chiburdanidze Maia 2514 GEO ½ 0 ½ ½ * 0 1 1 1 1 5½ 21,50 0
6 10 GM Zhao Xue 2462 CHN ½ 1 0 1 * 0 0 ½ 1 1 5 21,50 0
7 11 GM Xu Yuhua 2488 CHN 0 0 ½ 0 1 * 1 ½ ½ 1 4½ 16,00 0
8 12 WGM Shen Yang 2435 CHN ½ 0 0 ½ 1 * 0 ½ ½ 1 4 15,75 0
9 7 IM Munguntuul Batkhuyag 2421 MGL 1 0 0 0 ½ 0 1 * 0 1 3½ 14,50 0
10 5 GM Zhu Chen 2476 QAT 0 ½ ½ 0 0 ½ ½ * 1 0 3 12,75 0
11 2 GM Sebag Marie 2519 FRA 0 0 0 0 ½ ½ 1 0 * ½ 2½ 8,75 0
12 3 WIM Yildiz Betul Cemre 2235 TUR 0 ½ 0 0 0 0 0 1 ½ * 2 7,25 0
Two rounds to go. Any of the top five players could win it.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
2010 5th FIDE Women's Grand Prix - Ulaanbaatar
Update on the Hou Yifan/Zhu Chen game - Hou Yifan suffered some food poisoning and was unable to play. Zhu Chen agreed to a postponement of the game so today, a free day, the ladies will play their game. I totally empathize with Hou Yifan; I had a case of food poisoning years ago and I never want to go through something like that again! Awful awful awful.
The Week in Chess has reported that Hou Yifan won the game - and she is now in first place! Here are the revised standings after R8:
1. Hou Yifan g CHN 2577 * ½ ½ ½ . . ½ 1 . 1 1 1 6 2665
2. Koneru, Humpy g IND 2600 ½ * . . 1 1 1 . 0 ½ 1 ½ 5½ 2608
3. Kosintseva, Tatiana m RUS 2562 ½ . * 1 0 ½ ½ ½ 1 1 . . 5 2586
4. Zhao Xue g CHN 2462 ½ . 0 * 1 1 0 . ½ 1 . 1 5 2567
5. Stefanova, Antoaneta g BUL 2560 . 0 1 0 * ½ 1 1 1 ½ . . 5 2589
6. Chiburdanidze, Maia g GEO 2514 . 0 ½ 0 ½ * . 1 1 . 1 1 5 2575
7. Shen Yang wg CHN 2435 ½ 0 ½ 1 0 . * . 0 . ½ 1 3½ 2449
8. Xu Yuhua g CHN 2488 0 . ½ . 0 0 . * 1 ½ ½ 1 3½ 2440
9. Munguntuul, Batkhuyag wg MGL 2421 . 1 0 ½ 0 0 1 0 * . 0 . 2½ 2376
10. Zhu Chen g QAT 2476 0 ½ 0 0 ½ . . ½ . * 1 0 2½ 2359
11. Sebag, Marie g FRA 2519 0 0 . . . 0 ½ ½ 1 0 * ½ 2½ 2327
12. Yildiz, Betul Cemre wm TUR 2235 0 ½ . 0 . 0 0 0 . 1 ½ * 2 2315
Three more rounds to go. Here are the pairings for R9 tomorrow:
GM Zhu Chen 2476 - WGM Shen Yang 2435
GM Chiburdanidze Maia 2514 - GM Hou Yifan 2577
IM Munguntuul Batkhuyag 2421 - WIM Yildiz Betul Cemre 2235
GM Stefanova Antoaneta 2560 - GM Sebag Marie 2519
GM Kosintseva Tatiana 2562 - GM Koneru Humpy 2600
GM Zhao Xue 2462 - GM Xu Yuhua 2488
The Week in Chess has reported that Hou Yifan won the game - and she is now in first place! Here are the revised standings after R8:
1. Hou Yifan g CHN 2577 * ½ ½ ½ . . ½ 1 . 1 1 1 6 2665
2. Koneru, Humpy g IND 2600 ½ * . . 1 1 1 . 0 ½ 1 ½ 5½ 2608
3. Kosintseva, Tatiana m RUS 2562 ½ . * 1 0 ½ ½ ½ 1 1 . . 5 2586
4. Zhao Xue g CHN 2462 ½ . 0 * 1 1 0 . ½ 1 . 1 5 2567
5. Stefanova, Antoaneta g BUL 2560 . 0 1 0 * ½ 1 1 1 ½ . . 5 2589
6. Chiburdanidze, Maia g GEO 2514 . 0 ½ 0 ½ * . 1 1 . 1 1 5 2575
7. Shen Yang wg CHN 2435 ½ 0 ½ 1 0 . * . 0 . ½ 1 3½ 2449
8. Xu Yuhua g CHN 2488 0 . ½ . 0 0 . * 1 ½ ½ 1 3½ 2440
9. Munguntuul, Batkhuyag wg MGL 2421 . 1 0 ½ 0 0 1 0 * . 0 . 2½ 2376
10. Zhu Chen g QAT 2476 0 ½ 0 0 ½ . . ½ . * 1 0 2½ 2359
11. Sebag, Marie g FRA 2519 0 0 . . . 0 ½ ½ 1 0 * ½ 2½ 2327
12. Yildiz, Betul Cemre wm TUR 2235 0 ½ . 0 . 0 0 0 . 1 ½ * 2 2315
Three more rounds to go. Here are the pairings for R9 tomorrow:
GM Zhu Chen 2476 - WGM Shen Yang 2435
GM Chiburdanidze Maia 2514 - GM Hou Yifan 2577
IM Munguntuul Batkhuyag 2421 - WIM Yildiz Betul Cemre 2235
GM Stefanova Antoaneta 2560 - GM Sebag Marie 2519
GM Kosintseva Tatiana 2562 - GM Koneru Humpy 2600
GM Zhao Xue 2462 - GM Xu Yuhua 2488
Saturday, August 7, 2010
2010 5th FIDE Women's Grand Prix - Ulaanbaatar
Round 8 Results, Standings and Round 9 Pairings:
Round 8 (August 7, 2010)
Koneru, Humpy - Stefanova, Antoaneta 1-0 35 D10 Slav Defence
Hou Yifan - Zhu Chen * 0
Shen Yang - Zhao Xue 1-0 79 E32 Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2
Xu Yuhua - Kosintseva, Tatiana ½-½ 23 C95 Ruy Lopez Breyer
Sebag, Marie - Munguntuul, Batkhuyag 1-0 33 C78 Ruy Lopez Moeller Defence
Yildiz, Betul Cemre - Chiburdanidze, Maia 0-1 38 B00 Owen or Nimzowitsch Defence
1. Koneru, Humpy g IND 2600 5½ 2608
2. Hou Yifan g CHN 2577 5 2629
3. Kosintseva, Tatiana m RUS 2562 5 2586
4. Stefanova, Antoaneta g BUL 2560 5 2589
5. Zhao Xue g CHN 2462 5 2567
6. Chiburdanidze, Maia g GEO 2514 5 2575
7. Shen Yang wg CHN 2435 3½ 2449
8. Xu Yuhua g CHN 2488 3½ 2440
9. Zhu Chen g QAT 2476 2½ 2387
10. Munguntuul, Batkhuyag wg MGL 2421 2½ 2376
11. Sebag, Marie g FRA 2519 2½ 2327
12. Yildiz, Betul Cemre wm TUR 2235 2 2315
To say that things are tight at the top is rather an understatement :) Please note - I just checked the official website and it does not yet have a result listed for the game between Hou Yifan and Zhu Chen - don't know what's going on there or how they can do an official cross-table tally if the score is missing. Hmm...
R9 Pairings:
GM Zhu Chen 2476 - WGM Shen Yang 2435
GM Chiburdanidze Maia 2514 - GM Hou Yifan 2577
IM Munguntuul Batkhuyag 2421 - WIM Yildiz Betul Cemre 2235
GM Stefanova Antoaneta 2560 - GM Sebag Marie 2519
GM Kosintseva Tatiana 2562 - GM Koneru Humpy 2600
GM Zhao Xue 2462 - GM Xu Yuhua 2488
Round 8 (August 7, 2010)
Koneru, Humpy - Stefanova, Antoaneta 1-0 35 D10 Slav Defence
Hou Yifan - Zhu Chen * 0
Shen Yang - Zhao Xue 1-0 79 E32 Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2
Xu Yuhua - Kosintseva, Tatiana ½-½ 23 C95 Ruy Lopez Breyer
Sebag, Marie - Munguntuul, Batkhuyag 1-0 33 C78 Ruy Lopez Moeller Defence
Yildiz, Betul Cemre - Chiburdanidze, Maia 0-1 38 B00 Owen or Nimzowitsch Defence
1. Koneru, Humpy g IND 2600 5½ 2608
2. Hou Yifan g CHN 2577 5 2629
3. Kosintseva, Tatiana m RUS 2562 5 2586
4. Stefanova, Antoaneta g BUL 2560 5 2589
5. Zhao Xue g CHN 2462 5 2567
6. Chiburdanidze, Maia g GEO 2514 5 2575
7. Shen Yang wg CHN 2435 3½ 2449
8. Xu Yuhua g CHN 2488 3½ 2440
9. Zhu Chen g QAT 2476 2½ 2387
10. Munguntuul, Batkhuyag wg MGL 2421 2½ 2376
11. Sebag, Marie g FRA 2519 2½ 2327
12. Yildiz, Betul Cemre wm TUR 2235 2 2315
To say that things are tight at the top is rather an understatement :) Please note - I just checked the official website and it does not yet have a result listed for the game between Hou Yifan and Zhu Chen - don't know what's going on there or how they can do an official cross-table tally if the score is missing. Hmm...
R9 Pairings:
GM Zhu Chen 2476 - WGM Shen Yang 2435
GM Chiburdanidze Maia 2514 - GM Hou Yifan 2577
IM Munguntuul Batkhuyag 2421 - WIM Yildiz Betul Cemre 2235
GM Stefanova Antoaneta 2560 - GM Sebag Marie 2519
GM Kosintseva Tatiana 2562 - GM Koneru Humpy 2600
GM Zhao Xue 2462 - GM Xu Yuhua 2488
Friday, August 6, 2010
2010 5th FIDE Women's Grand Prix - Ulaanbaatar
Rounds 5 and 6 results and standings after R6:
Round 6 (August 5, 2010)
Zhao Xue - Stefanova, Antoaneta 1-0 39 D10 Slav Defence
Koneru, Humpy - Chiburdanidze, Maia 1-0 108 E32 Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2
Xu Yuhua - Munguntuul, Batkhuyag 1-0 38 B80 Sicilian Scheveningen
Shen Yang - Kosintseva, Tatiana ½-½ 57 E32 Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2
Yildiz, Betul Cemre - Hou Yifan 0-1 70 B51 Sicilian Rossolimo
Sebag, Marie - Zhu Chen 0-1 43 C60 Ruy Lopez
Round 7 (August 6, 2010)
Stefanova, Antoaneta - Xu Yuhua 1-0 58 E06 Catalan
Hou Yifan - Shen Yang ½-½ 44 C67 Ruy Lopez Berlin
Kosintseva, Tatiana - Zhao Xue 1-0 59 C64 Ruy Lopez Classical
Chiburdanidze, Maia - Sebag, Marie 1-0 42 E10 Blumenfeld Counter Gambit
Munguntuul, Batkhuyag - Koneru, Humpy 1-0 41 B80 Sicilian Scheveningen
Zhu Chen - Yildiz, Betul Cemre 0-1 36 D20 QGA
1. Zhao Xue g CHN 2462 5 2635
2. Stefanova, Antoaneta g BUL 2560 5 2637
3. Hou Yifan g CHN 2577 5 2629
4. Kosintseva, Tatiana m RUS 2562 4½ 2594
5. Koneru, Humpy g IND 2600 4½ 2555
6. Chiburdanidze, Maia g GEO 2514 4 2566
7. Xu Yuhua g CHN 2488 3 2421
8. Munguntuul, Batkhuyag wg MGL 2421 2½ 2415
9. Zhu Chen g QAT 2476 2½ 2387
10. Shen Yang wg CHN 2435 2½ 2394
11. Yildiz, Betul Cemre wm TUR 2235 2 2350
12. Sebag, Marie g FRA 2519 1½ 2245
4 more rounds to go. Here are the match-ups for R8:
Shen Yang .vs Zhao Xue
Xu Yuhua .vs Kosintseva Tatiana
Koneru Humpy .vs Stefanova Antoaneta
Sebag Marie .vs Munguntuul Batkhuyag
Yildiz Betul Cemre .vs Chiburdanidze Maia
Hou Yifan .vs Zhu Chen
Round 6 (August 5, 2010)
Zhao Xue - Stefanova, Antoaneta 1-0 39 D10 Slav Defence
Koneru, Humpy - Chiburdanidze, Maia 1-0 108 E32 Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2
Xu Yuhua - Munguntuul, Batkhuyag 1-0 38 B80 Sicilian Scheveningen
Shen Yang - Kosintseva, Tatiana ½-½ 57 E32 Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2
Yildiz, Betul Cemre - Hou Yifan 0-1 70 B51 Sicilian Rossolimo
Sebag, Marie - Zhu Chen 0-1 43 C60 Ruy Lopez
Round 7 (August 6, 2010)
Stefanova, Antoaneta - Xu Yuhua 1-0 58 E06 Catalan
Hou Yifan - Shen Yang ½-½ 44 C67 Ruy Lopez Berlin
Kosintseva, Tatiana - Zhao Xue 1-0 59 C64 Ruy Lopez Classical
Chiburdanidze, Maia - Sebag, Marie 1-0 42 E10 Blumenfeld Counter Gambit
Munguntuul, Batkhuyag - Koneru, Humpy 1-0 41 B80 Sicilian Scheveningen
Zhu Chen - Yildiz, Betul Cemre 0-1 36 D20 QGA
1. Zhao Xue g CHN 2462 5 2635
2. Stefanova, Antoaneta g BUL 2560 5 2637
3. Hou Yifan g CHN 2577 5 2629
4. Kosintseva, Tatiana m RUS 2562 4½ 2594
5. Koneru, Humpy g IND 2600 4½ 2555
6. Chiburdanidze, Maia g GEO 2514 4 2566
7. Xu Yuhua g CHN 2488 3 2421
8. Munguntuul, Batkhuyag wg MGL 2421 2½ 2415
9. Zhu Chen g QAT 2476 2½ 2387
10. Shen Yang wg CHN 2435 2½ 2394
11. Yildiz, Betul Cemre wm TUR 2235 2 2350
12. Sebag, Marie g FRA 2519 1½ 2245
4 more rounds to go. Here are the match-ups for R8:
Shen Yang .vs Zhao Xue
Xu Yuhua .vs Kosintseva Tatiana
Koneru Humpy .vs Stefanova Antoaneta
Sebag Marie .vs Munguntuul Batkhuyag
Yildiz Betul Cemre .vs Chiburdanidze Maia
Hou Yifan .vs Zhu Chen
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
2010 FIDE 5th Women's Grand Prix - Ulaanbaatar
Round 5 results and standings:
Stefanova, Antoaneta - Kosintseva, Tatiana 1-0 27 A45 Trompowsky
Hou Yifan - Sebag, Marie 1-0 35 B90 Sicilian Najdorf Variation
Chiburdanidze, Maia - Xu Yuhua 1-0 32 E12 Queens Indian Petrosian
Zhu Chen - Koneru, Humpy ½-½ 37 E32 Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2
Munguntuul, Batkhuyag - Zhao Xue ½-½ 68 C87 Ruy Lopez
Yildiz, Betul Cemre - Shen Yang 0-1 36 C11 French Defence
5th FIDE GP w Ulaanbaatar (MGL), 30 vii-11 viii 2010 cat. X (2487)
1. Stefanova, Antoaneta g BUL 2560 4 2721
2. Zhao Xue g CHN 2462 4 2684
3. Hou Yifan g CHN 2577 3½ 2675
4. Koneru, Humpy g IND 2600 3½ 2597
5. Chiburdanidze, Maia g GEO 2514 3 2570
6. Kosintseva, Tatiana m RUS 2562 3 2581
7. Xu Yuhua g CHN 2488 2 2392
8. Zhu Chen g QAT 2476 1½ 2385
9. Munguntuul, Batkhuyag wg MGL 1½ 2357
10. Sebag, Marie g FRA 2519 1½ 2318
11. Shen Yang wg CHN 2435 1½ 2318
12. Yildiz, Betul Cemre wm TUR 2235 1 2260
Stefanova, Antoaneta - Kosintseva, Tatiana 1-0 27 A45 Trompowsky
Hou Yifan - Sebag, Marie 1-0 35 B90 Sicilian Najdorf Variation
Chiburdanidze, Maia - Xu Yuhua 1-0 32 E12 Queens Indian Petrosian
Zhu Chen - Koneru, Humpy ½-½ 37 E32 Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2
Munguntuul, Batkhuyag - Zhao Xue ½-½ 68 C87 Ruy Lopez
Yildiz, Betul Cemre - Shen Yang 0-1 36 C11 French Defence
5th FIDE GP w Ulaanbaatar (MGL), 30 vii-11 viii 2010 cat. X (2487)
1. Stefanova, Antoaneta g BUL 2560 4 2721
2. Zhao Xue g CHN 2462 4 2684
3. Hou Yifan g CHN 2577 3½ 2675
4. Koneru, Humpy g IND 2600 3½ 2597
5. Chiburdanidze, Maia g GEO 2514 3 2570
6. Kosintseva, Tatiana m RUS 2562 3 2581
7. Xu Yuhua g CHN 2488 2 2392
8. Zhu Chen g QAT 2476 1½ 2385
9. Munguntuul, Batkhuyag wg MGL 1½ 2357
10. Sebag, Marie g FRA 2519 1½ 2318
11. Shen Yang wg CHN 2435 1½ 2318
12. Yildiz, Betul Cemre wm TUR 2235 1 2260
Monday, August 2, 2010
2010 FIDE 5th Women's Grand Prix - Ulaanbaatar
Round 4 results and standings:
Zhao Xue - Chiburdanidze, Maia 1-0 53 A15 English counter King's Fianchetto
Kosintseva, Tatiana - Munguntuul, Batkhuyag 1-0 58 C78 Ruy Lopez Moeller Defence
Koneru, Humpy - Hou Yifan ½-½ 104 E10 Blumenfeld Counter Gambit
Xu Yuhua - Zhu Chen ½-½ 59 C60 Ruy Lopez
Sebag, Marie - Yildiz, Betul Cemre ½-½ 65 C78 Ruy Lopez Moeller Defence
Shen Yang - Stefanova, Antoaneta 0-1 58 D25 QGA
1. Zhao Xue g CHN 2462 3½ 2786
2. Kosintseva, Tatiana m RUS 2562 3 2690
3. Koneru, Humpy g IND 2600 3 2634
4. Stefanova, Antoaneta g BUL 2560 3 2654
5. Hou Yifan g CHN 2577 2½ 2623
6. Chiburdanidze, Maia g GEO 2514 2 2501
7. Xu Yuhua g CHN 2488 2 2451
8. Sebag, Marie g FRA 2519 1½ 2352
9. Zhu Chen g QAT 2476 1 2325
10. Yildiz, Betul Cemre wm TUR 2235 1 2324
11. Munguntuul, Batkhuyag wg MGL 2421 1 2324
12. Shen Yang wg CHN 2435 ½ 2203
Zhao Xue - Chiburdanidze, Maia 1-0 53 A15 English counter King's Fianchetto
Kosintseva, Tatiana - Munguntuul, Batkhuyag 1-0 58 C78 Ruy Lopez Moeller Defence
Koneru, Humpy - Hou Yifan ½-½ 104 E10 Blumenfeld Counter Gambit
Xu Yuhua - Zhu Chen ½-½ 59 C60 Ruy Lopez
Sebag, Marie - Yildiz, Betul Cemre ½-½ 65 C78 Ruy Lopez Moeller Defence
Shen Yang - Stefanova, Antoaneta 0-1 58 D25 QGA
1. Zhao Xue g CHN 2462 3½ 2786
2. Kosintseva, Tatiana m RUS 2562 3 2690
3. Koneru, Humpy g IND 2600 3 2634
4. Stefanova, Antoaneta g BUL 2560 3 2654
5. Hou Yifan g CHN 2577 2½ 2623
6. Chiburdanidze, Maia g GEO 2514 2 2501
7. Xu Yuhua g CHN 2488 2 2451
8. Sebag, Marie g FRA 2519 1½ 2352
9. Zhu Chen g QAT 2476 1 2325
10. Yildiz, Betul Cemre wm TUR 2235 1 2324
11. Munguntuul, Batkhuyag wg MGL 2421 1 2324
12. Shen Yang wg CHN 2435 ½ 2203
Sunday, August 1, 2010
2010 5th FIDE Women's Grand Prix - Ulaanbaatar
Round 3 Results and Standings:
Round 3 (August 1, 2010)
Hou Yifan - Xu Yuhua 1-0 29 C07 French Tarrasch
Chiburdanidze, Maia - Kosintseva, Tatiana ½-½ 42 D38 QGD Ragozin
Sebag, Marie - Shen Yang ½-½ 56 C65 Ruy Lopez Berlin
Munguntuul, Batkhuyag - Stefanova, Antoaneta 0-1 54 C67 Ruy Lopez Berlin
Yildiz, Betul Cemre - Koneru, Humpy ½-½ 74 B40 Sicilian Classical
Zhu Chen - Zhao Xue 0-1 66 E39 Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2
5th FIDE GP w Ulaanbaatar (MGL), 30 vii-11 viii 2010 cat. X (2487)
1. Zhao Xue g CHN 2462 2½ 2702
2. Koneru, Humpy g IND 2600 2½ 2669
3. Hou Yifan g CHN 2577 2 2629
4. Chiburdanidze, Maia g GEO 2514 2 2639
5. Kosintseva, Tatiana m RUS 2562 2 2647
6. Stefanova, Antoaneta g BUL 2560 2 2595
7. Xu Yuhua g CHN 2488 1½ 2443
8. Sebag, Marie g FRA 2519 1 2382
9. Munguntuul, Batkhuyag wg MGL 2421 1 2378
10. Yildiz, Betul Cemre wm TUR 2235 ½ 2243
11. Zhu Chen g QAT 2476 ½ 2255
12. Shen Yang wg CHN 2435 ½ 2240
Round 3 (August 1, 2010)
Hou Yifan - Xu Yuhua 1-0 29 C07 French Tarrasch
Chiburdanidze, Maia - Kosintseva, Tatiana ½-½ 42 D38 QGD Ragozin
Sebag, Marie - Shen Yang ½-½ 56 C65 Ruy Lopez Berlin
Munguntuul, Batkhuyag - Stefanova, Antoaneta 0-1 54 C67 Ruy Lopez Berlin
Yildiz, Betul Cemre - Koneru, Humpy ½-½ 74 B40 Sicilian Classical
Zhu Chen - Zhao Xue 0-1 66 E39 Nimzo Indian 4.Qc2
5th FIDE GP w Ulaanbaatar (MGL), 30 vii-11 viii 2010 cat. X (2487)
1. Zhao Xue g CHN 2462 2½ 2702
2. Koneru, Humpy g IND 2600 2½ 2669
3. Hou Yifan g CHN 2577 2 2629
4. Chiburdanidze, Maia g GEO 2514 2 2639
5. Kosintseva, Tatiana m RUS 2562 2 2647
6. Stefanova, Antoaneta g BUL 2560 2 2595
7. Xu Yuhua g CHN 2488 1½ 2443
8. Sebag, Marie g FRA 2519 1 2382
9. Munguntuul, Batkhuyag wg MGL 2421 1 2378
10. Yildiz, Betul Cemre wm TUR 2235 ½ 2243
11. Zhu Chen g QAT 2476 ½ 2255
12. Shen Yang wg CHN 2435 ½ 2240
Saturday, July 31, 2010
2010 5th Women's Grand Prix - Ulaanbaatar
Standings after R2 - a long way to go yet:
5th FIDE GP w Ulaanbaatar (MGL), 30 vii-5 viii 2010 cat. X (2487)
1. Koneru, Humpy g IND 2600 2
2. Chiburdanidze, Maia g GEO 2514 1½ 2683
3. Kosintseva, Tatiana m RUS 2562 1½ 2719
4. Zhao Xue g CHN 2462 1½ 2599
5. Xu Yuhua g CHN 2488 1½ 2570
6. Hou Yifan g CHN 2577 1 2512
7. Stefanova, Antoaneta g BUL 2560 1 2495
8. Munguntuul, Batkhuyag wg MGL 2421 1 2474
9. Sebag, Marie g FRA 2519 ½ 2351
10. Zhu Chen g QAT 2476 ½ 2368
11. Shen Yang wg CHN 2435 0
12. Yildiz, Betul Cemre wm TUR 2235 0
Round 1 (July 30, 2010)
Koneru, Humpy - Shen Yang 1-0 46 D10 Slav Defence
Chiburdanidze, Maia - Munguntuul, Batkhuyag 1-0 82 D43 Anti-Meran Gambit
Hou Yifan - Kosintseva, Tatiana ½-½ 87 C95 Ruy Lopez Breyer
Sebag, Marie - Xu Yuhua ½-½ 36 C07 French Tarrasch
Zhu Chen - Stefanova, Antoaneta ½-½ 60 D45 Anti-Meran Variations
Yildiz, Betul Cemre - Zhao Xue 0-1 51 B51 Sicilian Rossolimo
Round 2 (July 31, 2010)
Koneru, Humpy - Sebag, Marie 1-0 48 D45 Anti-Meran Variations
Kosintseva, Tatiana - Zhu Chen 1-0 60 C41 Philidor's Defence
Zhao Xue - Hou Yifan ½-½ 27 E10 Blumenfeld Counter Gambit
Xu Yuhua - Yildiz, Betul Cemre 1-0 47 C78 Ruy Lopez Moeller Defence
Stefanova, Antoaneta - Chiburdanidze, Maia ½-½ 47 E00 Catalan
Shen Yang - Munguntuul, Batkhuyag 0-1 45 D43 Anti-Meran Gambit
5th FIDE GP w Ulaanbaatar (MGL), 30 vii-5 viii 2010 cat. X (2487)
1. Koneru, Humpy g IND 2600 2
2. Chiburdanidze, Maia g GEO 2514 1½ 2683
3. Kosintseva, Tatiana m RUS 2562 1½ 2719
4. Zhao Xue g CHN 2462 1½ 2599
5. Xu Yuhua g CHN 2488 1½ 2570
6. Hou Yifan g CHN 2577 1 2512
7. Stefanova, Antoaneta g BUL 2560 1 2495
8. Munguntuul, Batkhuyag wg MGL 2421 1 2474
9. Sebag, Marie g FRA 2519 ½ 2351
10. Zhu Chen g QAT 2476 ½ 2368
11. Shen Yang wg CHN 2435 0
12. Yildiz, Betul Cemre wm TUR 2235 0
Round 1 (July 30, 2010)
Koneru, Humpy - Shen Yang 1-0 46 D10 Slav Defence
Chiburdanidze, Maia - Munguntuul, Batkhuyag 1-0 82 D43 Anti-Meran Gambit
Hou Yifan - Kosintseva, Tatiana ½-½ 87 C95 Ruy Lopez Breyer
Sebag, Marie - Xu Yuhua ½-½ 36 C07 French Tarrasch
Zhu Chen - Stefanova, Antoaneta ½-½ 60 D45 Anti-Meran Variations
Yildiz, Betul Cemre - Zhao Xue 0-1 51 B51 Sicilian Rossolimo
Round 2 (July 31, 2010)
Koneru, Humpy - Sebag, Marie 1-0 48 D45 Anti-Meran Variations
Kosintseva, Tatiana - Zhu Chen 1-0 60 C41 Philidor's Defence
Zhao Xue - Hou Yifan ½-½ 27 E10 Blumenfeld Counter Gambit
Xu Yuhua - Yildiz, Betul Cemre 1-0 47 C78 Ruy Lopez Moeller Defence
Stefanova, Antoaneta - Chiburdanidze, Maia ½-½ 47 E00 Catalan
Shen Yang - Munguntuul, Batkhuyag 0-1 45 D43 Anti-Meran Gambit
Monday, March 22, 2010
FIDE Women's Grand Prix Series
Four Women's Grand Prix Events in 2010 (continuing from 2009):
April 25 - May 8, 2010 Nalchik (where?) - somewhere in Russia. This is obviously the Russian government's attempt to convince locals and the uninformed world in general that Nalchik is perfectly safe for ladies. Darlings, I'm not convinced - but - whatever.
This is the line-up:
NAME TITLE COUNTRY
Koneru, Humpy GM IND (second highest rated female in the world)
Yifan, Hou GM CHN (third highest rated female in the world)
Cramling, Pia GM SVE (just won 2010 European Women's Individual Chess Championship)
Dzagnidze, Nana GM GEO
Xue, Zhao GM CHN
Kosintseva, Tatiana IM RUS
Chen, Zhu GM QTR (former Women's World Chess Champion)
Danielian, Elina IM ARM
Batkhuyag, Munguntuul WGM MGL
Yildiz, Betul WIM TRK
Mrktchian, Lilit IM ARM
Kovanova, Baira WGM RUS
The 4th Grand Prix will take place in Jermuk, Armenia, on 23rd June - 6th July 2010
The 5th Grand Prix will take place in Ulanbaatar, Mongolia, on 29 July - 12 August 2010
The 6th Grand Prix will take place in Santiago, Chile, on 27th October - 9th November 2010
The first Grand Prix was in Istanbul 5th-20th March 2009 and was won by Humpy Koneru. The 2nd Grand Prix was in Nanjing, China, 27th Sept - 9th October 2009 and was won by Xu Yuhua.
Not a single Women's Grand Prix in North America. I don't understand this. We've got money here - we've got experienced organizers. Yes, I know the USCF is bankrupt, but the Chess Club and Scholastic Chess Center of St. Louis (Missouri) has big money backers. What about Continental Chess stepping up and putting together some big money sponsorship? Surely after 30 plus years of being in business it could put it's contacts to use to advance women's chess. What about someone approaching one of the cosmetic companies or P&G about major sponsorship of some of the best female chessplayers in the world - many of whom are very lovely ladies. Brains and Beauty - there could be an entire ad campaign put together starting with some hot blitz chess spots on You Tube.
Hell, I'm no marketer. But why is it Mongolia can host a Grand Prix event - okay, like what is the Gross National Product of Mongolia? And the United States of America cannot?
April 25 - May 8, 2010 Nalchik (where?) - somewhere in Russia. This is obviously the Russian government's attempt to convince locals and the uninformed world in general that Nalchik is perfectly safe for ladies. Darlings, I'm not convinced - but - whatever.
This is the line-up:
NAME TITLE COUNTRY
Koneru, Humpy GM IND (second highest rated female in the world)
Yifan, Hou GM CHN (third highest rated female in the world)
Cramling, Pia GM SVE (just won 2010 European Women's Individual Chess Championship)
Dzagnidze, Nana GM GEO
Xue, Zhao GM CHN
Kosintseva, Tatiana IM RUS
Chen, Zhu GM QTR (former Women's World Chess Champion)
Danielian, Elina IM ARM
Batkhuyag, Munguntuul WGM MGL
Yildiz, Betul WIM TRK
Mrktchian, Lilit IM ARM
Kovanova, Baira WGM RUS
The 4th Grand Prix will take place in Jermuk, Armenia, on 23rd June - 6th July 2010
The 5th Grand Prix will take place in Ulanbaatar, Mongolia, on 29 July - 12 August 2010
The 6th Grand Prix will take place in Santiago, Chile, on 27th October - 9th November 2010
The first Grand Prix was in Istanbul 5th-20th March 2009 and was won by Humpy Koneru. The 2nd Grand Prix was in Nanjing, China, 27th Sept - 9th October 2009 and was won by Xu Yuhua.
Not a single Women's Grand Prix in North America. I don't understand this. We've got money here - we've got experienced organizers. Yes, I know the USCF is bankrupt, but the Chess Club and Scholastic Chess Center of St. Louis (Missouri) has big money backers. What about Continental Chess stepping up and putting together some big money sponsorship? Surely after 30 plus years of being in business it could put it's contacts to use to advance women's chess. What about someone approaching one of the cosmetic companies or P&G about major sponsorship of some of the best female chessplayers in the world - many of whom are very lovely ladies. Brains and Beauty - there could be an entire ad campaign put together starting with some hot blitz chess spots on You Tube.
Hell, I'm no marketer. But why is it Mongolia can host a Grand Prix event - okay, like what is the Gross National Product of Mongolia? And the United States of America cannot?
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