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The Chinese domination in the Women’s World Championship cycle continues, as Tan Zhongyi and Lei Tingjie are the two clear contenders to take the title at the Women’s Candidates Tournament in Toronto. The winner of the event will face Ju Wenjun in the next match for the women’s world title — Tan was the world champion in 2017-18, while Lei was Ju’s latest challenger for the world crown.
In round 11, Tan achieved a great victory against Kateryna Lagno. Lagno was the only player who remained undefeated in the event, though she had only scored one victory in her first ten games — over Vaishali R in the sixth round.
The two remaining crucial encounters in the fight for first place favoured Tan’s chances of winning the event. Lei drew Anna Muzychuk with the white pieces, after the Ukrainian GM failed to find a difficult line that would have giver her a clear advantage amid a complex middlegame; meanwhile, Aleksandra Goryachkina, who entered the round in shared third place a full point behind Tan, was defeated by Vaishali — Goryachkina rejected implicit draw offers as she tried to create winning chances somewhat desperately.
With only three rounds to go, Tan has a half-point lead over Lei, while Goryachkina, Lagno and Humpy Koneru — who also scored a win on Wednesday — stand a whole 2 points behind the leader. Both Tan and Lei will play black in two out of their three remaining games.
Lei Tingjie | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza
Analysis by André Schulz
Tan Zhongyi | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza
Analysis by André Schulz
Vaishali Rameshbabu | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza
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