The top encounter of the round was the game between Humpy Koneru and Harika Dronavalli. In a double-edged opening White won the exchange but had to weaken her king. However, as the game progressed, Koneru showed why rooks are strong and won this crucial game.
Alice Lee, who had shared the lead with Dronavalli and Koneru after Round 5, was too enterprising in the opening and suffered a bitter defeat.
Tan Zhongyi and Carissa Yip also played an entertaining game. Tan had the better position out of the opening but then sacrificed two pawns. Yip responded with an exchange sacrifice of her own, which gave her strong play, a powerful attack, and ultimately the win.
Alina Kashlinskaya had White against Mariya Muzychuk and managed to get a reversed Benko Gambit, gaining several tempi in the process. However, she won the game not because of the opening, but thanks to precise tactical play and accurate calculation.
Nana Dzagnidze capitalized on a tactical mistake by Nino Batsiashvili in the endgame.
In this position Batsiashvili played 51...d4? and immediately resigned after 52.Rxe6+!. After 52...Kxe6 53.Bb3+ White picks up the rook on g8.
Results
Table
Games
