Women’s Candidates R4: Tan barely escapes, Salimova beats Humpy

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
4/8/2024 – Despite fighting chess being the norm in round 4 of the Women’s Candidates, only one game finished decisively, with underdog Nurgyul Salimova (pictured) beating third seed Humpy Koneru. Tan Zhongyi survived a clearly inferior position against Kateryna Lagno, while Anna Muzychuk missed great winning chances for a second day in a row. | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza
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Tan still the sole leader

A couple of missed chances were seen in round 4 of the Women’s Candidates. After winning two games and safely signing a draw on Saturday, Tan Zhongyi was in deep trouble playing black against Kateryna Lagno. The Russian GM faltered in the endgame, though, allowing Tan to remain as the sole leader going into the first rest day of the event.

Meanwhile, Anna Muzychuk failed to make the most of a clearly superior position for a second day in a row. Muzychuk had the black pieces against second seed Lei Tingjie. After splitting the point, both players kept their minus-one scores.

The one player who succeeded in profiting from an advantageous position was underdog Nurgyul Salimova. Playing white against Humpy Koneru, the 20-year-old first dealt proficiently with her opponent’s aggressive intentions and then showed good technique in the ensuing position with a material advantage.

Tan now stands a half point ahead of Aleksandra Goryachkina, who kept her sole second place after signing a 40-move draw against Vaishali R. On Tuesday, Tan will play white against Salimova, while Goryachkina will play black against Humpy.

Results - Round 4

Anna Muzychuk

Anna Muzychuk | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Lagno ½ - ½ Tan

Analysis by Johannes Fischer

Kateryna Lagno, Tan Zhongyi

Kateryna Lagno v. Tan Zhongyi | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Salimova 1 - 0 Humpy

Analysis by Johannes Fischer

Humpy Koneru

Humpy Koneru | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Expert analysis by WIM Svitlana Demchenko

Standings after round 4

All games

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Carlos Colodro is a Hispanic Philologist from Bolivia. He works as a freelance translator and writer since 2012. A lot of his work is done in chess-related texts, as the game is one of his biggest interests, along with literature and music.