Gunina, Lysyj, Russian Champions

The Russian Super Final and the Russian Women's Super Finals, are taking place in Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan. The time control of the event is 90 minutes for 40 moves, 30 minutes until the end of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move one. Participants are not allowed to offer a draw until move 40.

Final Round

The decisive round saw draws in the most important games. Grachev tried to press a small advantage against Lysyj, but the new Russian Champion defended without problems and obtained his draw. Jakovenko certainly tried to beat Khismatullin, but after some small fireworks White was able to keep a draw.

Nepomniachtchi was destroyed by Vitiugov in a model game of the Poisoned Pawn French.

Morozevich and Karjakin played a surprisingly uneventful game, while Zvjaginsev's sacrifices against Svidler were too optimistic and Svidler finished the tournament with a win.

Replay Round Nine

Select from the dropdown menu to replay the games

Women's Section

It all boiled down to one game: the match of the leaders between Galliamova and Gunina. The evaluation pendulum swung wildly from one side to another after many, many, many blunders in the game. At the end of the day, as the great Dr. Tarrasch would say, The winner of the game is the player who makes the next-to-last mistake, and that was the new Russian Champion, Valentina Gunina.

Bodnaruk had a worse position against Girya, but Black overpressed the endgame and the tables turned. White won a nice endgame proving again why bishops are so powerful.

Kovalevskaya again tried her own unique brand of Benko Gambit, but with more success than last time. At the end she was better and her decision to force a perpetual was probably a little premature.

Gritsayeva annihilated Kosteniuk with a powerful attack on the queenside. The highest rated woman in Russia lost 12 points this tournament and was never in contention of the title, while Gritsayeva scored a full point in the last round but still finished last.

Finally Pogonina was unable to defend a pretty uncomfortable endgame against Kashlinskaya.

Replay Round Nine

Select from the dropdown menu to replay the games

Tomorrow we will bring you a pictorial report with the closing ceremony from Kazan.

Information and pictures provided by Etery Kublashvili

Links Official tournament site The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 12 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.