Jermuk R10: Hou Yifan leads by a full point

From July 16 to 29, 2012 the southern Armenian hamlet of Jermuk is playing host to the Fifth FIDE Women's Grand Prix, part of a series of elite events organised by FIDE and Global Chess. There will be six tournaments over two years in various countries around the world. The winner of each tournament takes home 6,500 Euros, the total prize fund is 40,000 Euros. The overall winner will get a further 15,000 Euros at the end of the series. Starting time of the games is 15:00h (check your local time here). A full shedule with all results is given at the bottom of the page. Monday, July 23 is a free day.

The game of the day was the attractive and instructive victory played by Ruan against Zhao Xue. After the opening, a complicated position arose, and on move 19, black erred, allowing white to uncork an impressive tactical combination

The game between Kosintseva and Danielian was rife with tension throughout. After the opening, white had a nominal advantage, but black made a couple of inaccurate moves, handing white an advantageous position. Not all was yet decided, and white in fact gave back the queen for rook and bishop, hoping to generate some winning chances in the resulting endgame.

In the game between Kovalevskaya and Hou Yifan, spectators saw a back and forth affair. Out of the opening, the Chinese player chose an active approach, but white countered accurately, and was able to enter the middle game with a better position. At this point, however, the roles reversed and it was white who began to lose the thread and play in an unsure manner.

The clash between Kateryna Lahno (above) and Nino Khurtsidze was a captivating game. After a balanced opening, the Ukrainian star sacrificed a pawn for the initiative, and looked to be in full control after some inaccurate responses from the Georgian. However, just when it appeared that the end would be near, it was white’s turn to stumble.

Another game which was worthy of attention was the battle between Munguntuul and Koneru, in which the opening saw an imbalanced position which was difficult to assess. Koneru chose an unorthodox variation, but as it turned out, white was up to the challenge and matched her opponent’s knowledge and preparation. Having attained a certain advantage, white instead of continuing the battle opted instead to repeat the position and take the draw.

Another interesting game was seen in the match between Lilit Mkrtchian and Ju Wenjun (above in the press conference with tournament commentator Aghasi Inants). The opening phase ended in an equal position, when black started to play quite actively and in a risky fashion, with the hopes of stirring things up. White responded properly and enjoyed some advantage, but at a critical juncture, didn’t proceed in the best way.

Summary commentary of the round

This analysis is porovided by Aghasi Inants in Armenian and translated into English by and Aram Hajian.

As the participants approach the finish line at the Jermuk Women Grand Prix, the tension continues to rise. With the penultimate round already complete, the reigning World Champion Hou Yifan solidified her grasp on first place, and with it, first place in the entire Grand Prix cycle.

In the game Koneru-Mkrtchian, Black was unable to solve the opening problems set before her by White. Endeavoring to equalize, Black searched for the right move, but instead stumbled.

An IQ puzzle for our readers: from which country does IM Lilit Mkrtchian come?

A thrilling game was enjoyed by the spectators in the all-Chinese clash Zhao Xue-Ju Wenjun. A complex position arose after the opening phase, with mutual chances. Principles of positional chess mandated that Black must move actively, with a resolute plan. Ju was up to the challenge and in one sequence unleashed a series of sacrifices. Punches and counterpunches were delivered with the computer’s assessment of the position changing with seemingly every move.

Lost her game, her lead and a realistic chance of winning the tournament: Ju Wenjun

Another thrilling struggle was seen in the game Khurtsidze-Munguntuul. White did not achieve much of an advantage out of the opening, but a pawn sacrifice secured the initiative for White, as she dictated the play into the middle game. Black had difficulties navigating around the problems posed to her by White, and at one point she erred, allowing White to capitalize and achieve a winning advantage. All that was left was for White to make a couple of correct moves and the game would be decided. At this point, it was White’s turn to blunder, but Black missed the golden opportunity to take advantage.

The game between Elina Danielian (above right, in the press conference with tournament Kateryna Lahno and commentator Aghasi Inants) and Kateryna Lahno was short, but not devoid of excitement. White chose a somewhat unorthodox variation of the Grunfeld and went straight after Black’s king. But Katya Lahno kept her cool and was able to neutralize all threats, and at some point found a perpetual check after sacrificing a rook.

The game Hou Yifan-Kosintseva was a relatively peaceful one, with White getting no particular advantage after the opening. The picture changed little as the middle game unfolded, with each player choosing moves in keeping with the positional themes. Not surprisingly, the players repeated moves and on move 25, shook hands to agree to the draw.

Photos by Arman Karakhanyan

Summary commentary of the round

The following analysis was provided by Aghasi Inants in Armenian and translated into English by and Aram Hajian.

Standings after ten rounds

Remaining schedule

Schedule and results

Links Official tournament site All games in PGN The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 11 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.