Assaubayeva wins World Chess Armageddon Women's Week

World Chess organised a "Women's Week" in Berlin at its World Chess Club unter den Linden as part of its "Armageddon" series with eight players competing in a double knockout system: players who lost in the Champions group were given a second chance in a consolation group.

Participants

Alexandra Kosteniuk (Switzerland, blitz rating 2453)
Humpy Koneru (India, blitz rating 2448)
Bibisara Assaubayeva (Kazakhstan, blitz rating 2461)
Sara Khadem (Iran, blitz rating 2417)
Nana Dzagnidze (Georgia, blitz rating 2416)
Gunay Mammadzada (Azerbaijan, blitz 2408)
Alina Kashlinskaya (Poland, blitz rating 2382)
Elisabeth Paehtz (Germany, blitz rating 2342)

The participants played mini-matches with two blitz games each against each other. In the event of a tie, there was an Armageddon match.

During the games, the heart rates of the players were measured to determine the strain on the athletes. The top performer in this regard was Gunay Mammadzada, who reached 173 beats per minute in one game on 14 May. The resting heart rate is around 75.

The following maximum values were measured for the different players:

•     Bibisara Assaubayeva recorded a heart rate of 155 beats per minute on 9 May.
•     Nana Dzagnidze recorded a heart rate of 105 beats per minute on 9 May.
•     Sara Khadem recorded a heart rate of 154 beats per minute on 10 May.
•     Alexandra Kosteniuk recorded a heart rate of 158 beats per minute on 9 May.
•     Elisabeth Paehtz recorded a heart rate of 143 beats per minute on 12 May.
•     Alina Kashlinskaya recorded a heart rate of 163 beats per minute on 12 May.
•     Gunay Mammadzada recorded a heart rate of 173 beats per minute on 14 May.
•     Humpy Koneru recorded a heart rate of 165 beats per minute on 11 May.

The final: Assaubayeva against Koneru

In the final, 19-year-old Bibisara Assaubayeva from Kazakhstan triumphed 1.5:0.5 over Humpy Koneru.

The two finalists have qualified for the Armageddon Grand Final, which will feature Wesley So, Sam Shankland, Gukesh D and Nodirbek Abdusattorov among others. The winner of the final tournament will receive €200,000.

The next Armageddon tournament will take place from 12 to 18 June, again in Berlin.

Games

The live videos with commentary by Simon Williams and Jovanka Houska

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

World Chess...