Cairns Cup: Krush and Khotenashvili grab crucial wins

by Klaus Besenthal
6/11/2023 – In the seventh round of the Cairns Cup played on Saturday, sole leader Anna Zatonskih got a rest day. Elisabeth Paehtz missed her chance to catch up with Zatonskih, as the German grandmaster lost to Bella Khotenashvili. Thanks to this win, the Georgian now stands half a point behind Zatonskih. Irina Krush is also back in the mix after beating Harika Dronavalli. Krush is one point behind Zatonskih, but the two still have to play each other. | Photo: Austin Fuller

ChessBase 18 - Mega package ChessBase 18 - Mega package

Winning starts with what you know
The new version 18 offers completely new possibilities for chess training and analysis: playing style analysis, search for strategic themes, access to 6 billion Lichess games, player preparation by matching Lichess games, download Chess.com games with built-in API, built-in cloud engine and much more.

More...

The third stage of the game

Elisabeth Paehtz entered the round in sole second place, a full point behind leader Anna Zatonskih. The German grandmaster had the black pieces against Bella Khotenashvili

Paehtz had been in a bad position for a while after the opening phase, but then managed to restore the balance. Grandmaster Karsten Müller shows in his instructive analysis why she lost the game in a rather tricky endgame.

Bella Khotenashvili

After starting the tournament with two defeats, Bella Khotenashvili has now won four games in a row. | Photo: Austin Fuller

Meanwhile, Irina Krush and Harika Dronavalli reached a theoretical rook ending, one that every chess player no matter their level should know: the Lucena position. Karsten Müller once again dissected the nuances of the position.

Irina Krush

Irina Krush will face Anna Zatonskih in Monday’s final round | Photo: Austin Fuller

Results - Round 7

Standings - Round 7

Cairns Cup 2023

All games


Making the right decisions in chess - Fundamentals

In a total of 6 chapters, we look at the following aspects: the right decision based on tactical factors, decisions in exchanges and moves, complex and psychological decisions in longer games and in defence.


Links


Klaus Besenthal is computer scientist, has followed and still follows the chess scene avidly since 1972 and since then has also regularly played in tournaments.