Tag: TehranWomenGP2016

Joint leaders GM Nana Dzagnidze and WGM Natalija Pogonina experienced contrasting results in the 8th round of the Tehran FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2016. While Dzagnidze outclassed GM Harika Dronavalli, Pogonina went down against GM Antoaneta Stefanova. With these results, GM Dzagnidze has shoot into sole lead after Round 8 of this 11-round event. The Georgian Grandmaster has notched up an impressive 6.5 points so far and goes into the second rest day with a healthy one point lead over her nearest rivals.

Meanwhile, top-seed GM Koneru Humpy could only manage a draw against IM Khademalsharieh Sarasadat with the White pieces.

Results

IM	Batsiashvili	0 – 1	GM	Gunina
GM	Koneru	½ – ½	IM	Khademalsharieh
GM	Stefanova	1 – 0	WGM	Pogonina
GM	Zhao Xue	½ – ½	GM	Ju Wenjun
GM	Zhukova	0 – 1	GM	Cramling
GM	Dzagnidze	1 – 0	GM	Harika

Georgian GM Nana Dzagnidze and Russian WGM Natalija Pogonina are in joint lead after the 6th round of the Tehran Women’s Grand Prix 2016 with 4.5 points each.

In the 6th round, Dzagnidze overcame GM Natalia Zhukova from the black side of a Queen’s Indian Defence. The Zhukova – Dzagnidze game turned out to be an interesting affair, with the Georgian player possessing the better chances for the greater part of the game. Ultimately, it was Zhukova’s mistake on the 49th move that helped Dzagnidze clinch the matters. On the other hand, the all-Russian battle between Gunina and Pogonina ended in a draw.

For Indian fans, it was quite a forgettable day. First, GM Koneru Humpy messed up her opening preparation and went down quickly to GM Ju Wenjun. Later, GM Harika Dronavalli was unable to survive GM Zhao Xue’s powerful onslaught. Koneru and Harika are currently on 3 and 2.5 points respectively.

Results

IM	Batsiashvili	0 – 1	IM	Khademalsharieh
GM	Gunina	½ – ½	WGM	Pogonina
GM	Koneru	0 – 1	GM	Ju Wenjun
GM	Stefanova	½ – ½	GM	Cramling
GM	Zhao Xue	1 – 0	GM	Harika
GM	Zhukova	0 – 1	GM	Dzagnidze

The opening round of the Teheran FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2016 witnessed as many as four decisive games.

Top-seed GM Koneru Humpy of India started off her campaign with a fantastic victory over GM Zhao Xue of China. Playing the black side of a Queen’s Gambit Declined, Koneru exploited her opponent’s slow play on the Queen-side with a devastating offensive on the other flank. Koneru’s bold play brought her a well-deserved victory on move 41.

However, GM Harika Dronavalli, the only other Indian in the fray, suffered a defeat against WGM Natalia Pogonina of Russia.

Apart from Koneru and Pogonina, GM Ju Wenjun and GM Zhukova also won their first round games.

Results

GM	Stefanova	2509	½ – ½	IM	Batsiashvili	2485
GM	Zhao Xue	2506	0 – 1	GM	Koneru	2583
GM	Zhukova	2484	1 – 0	GM	Gunina	2496
GM	Dzagnidze	2529	½ – ½	IM	Khademalsharieh	2403
GM	Harika	2511	0 – 1	WGM	Pogonina	2454
GM	Cramling	2521	0 – 1	GM	Ju Wenjun	2558