Women’s world tourney gathers world’s best
The FIDE Women’s World Championship is in full swing at the Espinas Palace Hotel in Iran’s capital city of Tehran.
The 2017 edition had 64 participants filtered by the following exacting requirements: three from the women’s world champ ionsh ip 2014-2015, two from the world girls/ junior championship, six highest average ratings 2015-2016, 28 from the European women’s championship, eight from women’s continental championship of Americas, 12 from Asia/Oceania continental championship, three from Africa continental championship, and two nominated by the FIDE president.
From the original 64 players, those who have advanced to the round of 16 were Chinese Ju Wenjun, Tan Zhongyi, Zhen Yang and Ni Shiquin; Nana Dzagnitse, Sopiko Guramishvilli and Nino Kkhurtsidze of Georgia. Also in the mix were Russians Natalia Pogonina, Alexandra Kosteniuk and Olga Girya; Harika Dronavalli and Rout Radmini of India; Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine; Stefanova Antoanetta of Bulgaria; Pia Cramling of Sweden and Pham Le Thao Nguyen of Vietnam.
The knockout matches are being played over two games, and go through the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds. The finals will be a four-game series.
Below is a fine victory demonstrated by the rapid and blitz women’s world champion. Women’s World Ch. 2017 W) A. Muzychuk (Ukraine) B) A. Kashlinskaya (Russia) Giuoco Piano 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. 0-0 Nf6 5. d3 a6 6. c3 Ba7 7. Nbd2 0-0 8. h3 d6
There are other alternatives, but 8...b5 is most accurate according to the engine. E.g. 9. Bb3 d6 10. Bc2 Bd7 11. Nb3 Re8 12. Re1 Ne7 13. a4 c5 is close to equality. 9. Bb3 Nh5
After 9...h6 10. Re1 Na5 11. Bc2 c5 probably leads to a balance middle game. 10. Re1 Nf4 11. Nf1 Qf6 12. Ng3 h5
Not without a point, but 12... Re8 seems appropriate here. 13. d4! ...
A fair alternative is 13. Be3 and after 13... h4 14. Nf5 Bxf5 15. exf5 Bxe3 16. fxe3 Nh5 17. e4 Ng3 18. Qd2 White is slightly better=Computer. 13... h4
Black has pinned his hopes on this move, overlooking White’s counter action. 13...g6 seems safer. 14. Nf5 g6
14...Bxf5 15. exf5 Qxf5 16. Nxh4 Qg5 17. Bxf4 exf4 18. Nf3 leads to a slight edge for White. 15. Bxf4 gxf5
15... exf4 16. N5xh4 favors White. 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. Bg5 Qg6?!
17... Qg7 is clearly better than the text move. 18. exf5 Bxf5 19. Qc1 Bd3
Or 19...Be6 20. Bc2 f5 21. Nxe5 Nxe5 22. Rxe5 and White obtains a big advantage. 20. Nxh4 Qh5
There’s nothing better. 20... Qg7 is met by 21. Bh6 and 20. Qh7 loses to 21. Bf6. Black is in a difficult situation nonetheless. 21. Bf6! ...
Threatening to win at once with 22. g4. 21... Kh7
Or 21...Rfe8 22. g4 Qh7 23. Qg5ch Kf8 24. Rad1 and White is winning. 22. Bc2! Bg6
After 22... Bxc2ch 23. Qxc2ch Kg8 24. Re4! Rfe8 25. Rg4ch Kf8 26. Nf 5 Re6 27. Rh4 and White wins. 23. Re4! Rae8
If 23...Bxe4 24. Bxe4ch Kg8 25. g4 traps the Black Queen. 24. Nf3 1:0 The threat of 25. Rh4 is decisive. Solution to last week’s puzzle: Black to move and win. W= Kg1, Qe6, Rf1, Nb1, Ne5, Pa4, Pb3, Pf2, Pg2, Ph2
B= Kh8, Qd4, Rc8, Bb4, Ne4, Pa6, Pb7, Pd5, Pg7, Ph7 1... Qxf2ch! 2. Rxf2 Rc1ch 3. Rf1 Bc5ch 4. Kh1 Rxf1 mate.