Jermuk R8: Hou Yifan catches Ju Wenjun in the lead

by ChessBase
7/26/2012 – The Chinese WGM Ju Wenjun has been alone at the top of the table for most of the tournament, but two draws allowed her main rival Hou Yifan, to catch her after a round eight win. With three rounds to go the two are a full point ahead of the rest of the field and hot favourites to win. We bring you an illustrated report on rounds seven and eight, again with annotated, replayable games.

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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.

Round seven: Tuesday July 23, 2012 at 15:00h
GM
Hou Yifan 2617
½-½
GM
Zhao Xue 2556
WGM
Ruan Lufei 2483
½-½
GM
Danielian Elina 2480
IM
Kovalevskaya Ekaterina 2417
0-1
IM
Khurtsidze Nino 2456
GM
Kosintseva Nadezhda 2516
1-0
GM
Koneru Humpy 2598
GM
Lahno Kateryna 2537
½-½
WGM
Ju Wenjun 2518
IM
Munguntuul Batkhuyag 2447
½-½
IM
Mkrtchian Lilit 2450

Summary commentary of the round

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

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MoveNResultEloPlayers
1.e41,184,21554%2421---
1.d4958,93255%2434---
1.Nf3286,32756%2441---
1.c4184,72256%2443---
1.g319,88456%2427---
1.b314,59854%2428---
1.f45,95348%2377---
1.Nc33,90650%2384---
1.b41,79048%2378---
1.a31,25054%2406---
1.e31,08149%2409---
1.d396950%2378---
1.g467046%2361---
1.h446654%2382---
1.c343951%2425---
1.h328956%2420---
1.a411860%2461---
1.f310047%2427---
1.Nh39267%2511---
1.Na34762%2476---
The organizers, as well as the many fans of chess, were happy to see Nino Khurtsidze register her first victory, and that with the black pieces, over Ekaterina Kovalevskaya. Black equalized out of the opening and then, with initiative in hand, began to dictate the play. 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.g3 d5 4.b3 d4 5.Bg2 c5 6.e3 Nc6 7.exd4 cxd4 8.0-0 Bd6 9.d3 h6 10.Ba3 0-0 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 12.a3 a5 13.Nbd2 e5 14.Qe2 Bf5 15.Rfe1 Rfe8 16.Nh4 Bh7 17.Ne4 Bxe4 18.Bxe4 Nxe4 19.Qxe4 g6 20.Re2 Rad8 21.g4 Re6 22.Kh1 Rf6 23.Ng2 Rb8 24.a4? One can state that after this move, white has shelved all hopes of attacking and can only try to defend. The positional balance has also shifted heavily in Black's favor. Instead, necessary was 24.Qd5 Qc7 25.Rb1 and the position is completely playable for both sides. 24...Re6 25.Qf3 Nb4 26.Re4? Na6! 27.Qd1 Nc5 28.f3 If 28.Re1 e4! and Black's advantage is decisive. 28...Nxe4 29.fxe4 Qb4 30.Rb1 Rf8 31.Nh4 Qe7 32.Qe1 Qg5 33.h3 h5 34.Qg3 hxg4 35.hxg4 Kg7 36.Kg2 Rh8 37.Nf3 Qe3 38.Ne1 Qe2+ 39.Kg1 Qa2 40.Rc1 Qxb3 41.Rc2 Qxa4 42.g5 Qa1 43.Kg2 a4 44.Rf2 Qc1 45.Rf1 a3 46.Nf3 Qe3 0–1
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Kovalevskaya,E2417Khurtsidze,N24560–12012A13FIDE WGP Jermuk 20127.5
Lahno,K2537Ju,W2518½–½2012E97FIDE WGP Jermuk 20127.1
Munguntuul,B2447Mkrtchian,L2450½–½2012D02FIDE WGP Jermuk 20127.6
Ruan,L2483Danielian,E2480½–½2012B46FIDE WGP Jermuk 20127.3
Kosintseva,N2516Koneru,H25981–02012C91FIDE WGP Jermuk 20127.4

In this game Black equalized out of the opening, and after White attempted a dubious idea, Koneru's advantage might have become significant. However, Black not only failed to take advantage of the opportunity but misplayed the continuation, missing a tactical sequence which led to her demise. Nadezhda won in 40 moves.


Our annotator Aghasi Inants discussing the game with Nadezhda and Humpy

The organizers, as well as the many fans of chess, were happy to see Nino Khurtsidze register her first victory, and that with the black pieces. She equalized out of the opening and then, with initiative in hand, began to dictate the play.


Chinese players Ju Wenjun, Zhao Xue and Hou Yifan who lead on the scoreboard


Round eight: Wednesday July 24, 2012 at 15:00h
GM
Zhao Xue 2556
1-0
IM
Mkrtchian Lilit 2450
WGM
Ju Wenjun 2518
½-½
IM
Munguntuul Batkhuyag 2447
GM
Koneru Humpy 2598
0-1
GM
Lahno Kateryna 2537
IM
Khurtsidze Nino 2456
½-½
GM
Kosintseva Nadezhda 2516
GM
Danielian Elina 2480
½-½
IM
Kovalevskaya Ekaterina 2417
GM
Hou Yifan 2617
1-0
WGM
Ruan Lufei 2483

Summary commentary of the round

The tension is rising in Jermuk as the 8th round of the Women’s Grand Prix is complete. Not surprisingly, chess fans today witnessed the greatest number of blunders, as seemingly solid positions unraveled with a single misstep. With three rounds to go, Ju Wenjun was joined at the top of the leaderboard by world champion and compatriot Hou Yifan. The following analysis was provided by Aghasi Inants in Armenian and translated into English by Aram Hajian.

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This was a most interesting game. A dynamically balanced position arose from the opening, with each side having its relative advantages. In the middle game White drifted a bit and Black was able to generate a certain plus. However, as zeitnot approached, White missed a chance to take advantage of her opponent's inaccuracy. 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 d5 3.Nd2 Nbd7 4.Ngf3 g6 5.e3 Bg7 6.c4 c5 7.cxd5 0-0 8.e4 cxd4 9.Bc4 Nc5 10.Qe2 h6 11.Bxf6 exf6 12.0-0 Re8 13.Rfe1 Bd7 14.Qf1 Qb6 15.Rab1 Rac8 16.h3 a6 17.a3 Qd6 18.b4 Na4 19.Bd3 Nc3 20.Rbc1 f5 21.exf5 Bxf5 22.Bxf5 gxf5 23.Qd3 Rxe1+ 24.Rxe1 Qxd5 25.Nh4 Ne4 26.Nxe4 fxe4 27.Rxe4 Qb5 28.Qg3 Kh8 29.Re7? Necessary was 29.Qg4 Qc6 30.Nf5 Qg6 31.Qxg6 fxg6 32.Nxg7 Kxg7 33.Rxd4 and White has some chance for victory. 29...Qd5 30.Nf3 d3 31.Qf4 Kg8 32.g3 Rd8 33.Kh2 Qa2 34.Nd2 Qd5 35.h4 Kf8 36.Rc7 b5 37.Ra7 Qe6 38.Nf3 Qf6 39.Qe3 Kg8 40.Re7 Kf8 41.Ra7 Qd6 42.Qe4 Kg8 43.Qb7 Qd5 44.Qe7 Bf8 45.Qf6 Bg7? 45...Re8! 46.Qf4 Re2-+ 46.Qf4 Qc4 47.Qe3 Qe6 48.Qf4 Qc4 49.Qe3 Qd5 50.Qf4 Rd6 51.Nd2 Rf6 52.Qe3 Re6 53.Qf4 Re2 54.Rxa6 Bd4 55.Rd6 Rxf2+ 56.Qxf2 Qxd6 57.Qf3 Bg7 58.Qa8+ Kh7 59.Qe4+ Qg6 60.Qd5 Bb2 61.h5 Qg5 62.Qxd3+ Kg7 63.Kg2 Qxh5 64.Nf3 Bf6 65.Qd7 Qg6 66.Qxb5 Qc2+ 67.Kh3 Qc3 68.Qf5 Qxa3 69.b5 Qb2 70.Qg4+ Kf8 71.Qc4 Kg7 72.Qd3 Qb4 73.Qf5 Qd6 74.Qg4+ Kf8 75.Qc8+ Ke7 76.Qb7+ Kf8 77.Qc8+ Ke7 78.Qb7+ Kf8 79.Qa8+ Bd8 80.Qc8 Ke7 81.Nh4 Qd1 82.Qc4 h5 83.Qe4+ Kf8 84.Qf3 Qd7+ 85.Qf5 Qd1 86.Qf3 Qd7+ 87.Qf5 Qd1 88.Qf3 ½–½
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Danielian,E2480Kovalevskaya,E2417½–½2012A45FIDE WGP Jermuk 20128
Khurtsidze,N2456Kosintseva,N2516½–½2012D38FIDE WGP Jermuk 20128
Ju,W2518Munguntuul,B2447½–½2012D15FIDE WGP Jermuk 20128
Hou,Y2617Ruan,L24831–02012C77FIDE WGP Jermuk 20128
Zhao,X2556Mkrtchian,L24501–02012D31FIDE WGP Jermuk 20128
Koneru,H2598Lahno,K25370–12012D86FIDE WGP Jermuk 20128

In this game Black equalized out of the opening, and after White attempted a dubious idea, Koneru's advantage might have become significant. However, Black not only failed to take advantage of the opportunity but misplayed the continuation, missing a tactical sequence which led to her demise.


To the chagrin of the hometown fans, Mkrtchian also blundered away a key central
pawn in an innocuous position in which White had a nominal advantage but not more.

In this game the women's world champion didn't get too much out of the opening, though it was probably a bit easier to play with White. However, in the middle game, White deployed active measures and forced Black to commit a mistake.

Early in the opening, Russian GM Kosintseva Nadezhda, right, simply blundered a central pawn, handing Nino Khurtsidze (left) a winning position. However the Georgian IM was unable to turn it into a full point.

Photos by Arman Karakhanyan

Standings after eight rounds

Remaining schedule

11th day: Round 9 26.07.2012
12th day Round 10 27.07.2012
13th day: Round 11 and Closing Ceremony 28.07.2012
14th day: Departure 29.07.2012

Schedule and results

Round one: Tuesday July 17, 2012 at 15:00h
GM
Koneru Humpy 2598
1-0
GM
Zhao Xue 2556
IM
Khurtsidze Nino 2456
0-1
WGM
Ju Wenjun 2518
GM
Danielian Elina 2480
½-½
IM
Mkrtchian Lilit 2450
GM
Hou Yifan 2617
½-½
IM
Munguntuul Batkhuyag 2447
WGM
Ruan Lufei 2483
½-½
GM
Lahno Kateryna 2537
IM
Kovalevskaya Ekaterina 2417
1-0
GM
Kosintseva Nadezhda 2516
Round two: Wednesday July 18, 2012 at 15:00h
GM
Zhao Xue 2556
0-1
GM
Kosintseva Nadezhda 2516
GM
Lahno Kateryna 2537
1-0
IM
Kovalevskaya Ekaterina 2417
IM
Munguntuul Batkhuyag 2447
0-1
WGM
Ruan Lufei 2483
IM
Mkrtchian Lilit 2450
0-1
GM
Hou Yifan 2617
WGM
Ju Wenjun 2518
1-0
GM
Danielian Elina 2480
GM
Koneru Humpy 2598
1-0
IM
Khurtsidze Nino 2456
Round three: Thursday July 19, 2012 at 15:00h
IM
Khurtsidze Nino 2456
0-1
GM
Zhao Xue 2556
GM
Danielian Elina 2480
1-0
GM
Koneru Humpy 2598
GM
Hou Yifan 2617
½-½
WGM
Ju Wenjun 2518
WGM
Ruan Lufei 2483
1-0
IM
Mkrtchian Lilit 2450
IM
Kovalevskaya Ekaterina 2417
1-0
IM
Munguntuul Batkhuyag 2447
GM
Kosintseva Nadezhda 2516
½-½
GM
Lahno Kateryna 2537
Round four: Friday July 20, 2012 at 15:00h
GM
Zhao Xue 2556
1-0
GM
Lahno Kateryna 2537
IM
Munguntuul Batkhuyag 2447
½-½
GM
Kosintseva Nadezhda 2516
IM
Mkrtchian Lilit 2450
1-0
IM
Kovalevskaya Ekaterina 2417
WGM
Ju Wenjun 2518
1-0
WGM
Ruan Lufei 2483
GM
Koneru Humpy 2598
½-½
GM
Hou Yifan 2617
IM
Khurtsidze Nino 2456
½-½
GM
Danielian Elina 2480
Round five: Saturday July 21, 2012 at 15:00h
GM
Danielian Elina 2480
½-½
GM
Zhao Xue 2556
GM
Hou Yifan 2617
1-0
IM
Khurtsidze Nino 2456
WGM
Ruan Lufei 2483
½-½
GM
Koneru Humpy 2598
IM
Kovalevskaya Ekaterina 2417
½-½
WGM
Ju Wenjun 2518
GM
Kosintseva Nadezhda 2516
0-1
IM
Mkrtchian Lilit 2450
GM
Lahno Kateryna 2537
½-½
IM
Munguntuul Batkhuyag 2447
Round six: Sunday July 22, 2012 at 15:00h
GM
Zhao Xue 2556
½-½
IM
Munguntuul Batkhuyag 2447
IM
Mkrtchian Lilit 2450
½-½
GM
Lahno Kateryna 2537
WGM
Ju Wenjun 2518
½-½
GM
Kosintseva Nadezhda 2516
GM
Koneru Humpy 2598
1-0
IM
Kovalevskaya Ekaterina 2417
IM
Khurtsidze Nino 2456
0-1
WGM
Ruan Lufei 2483
GM
Danielian Elina 2480
½-½
GM
Hou Yifan 2617
Round seven: Tuesday July 23, 2012 at 15:00h
GM
Hou Yifan 2617
½-½
GM
Zhao Xue 2556
WGM
Ruan Lufei 2483
½-½
GM
Danielian Elina 2480
IM
Kovalevskaya Ekaterina 2417
0-1
IM
Khurtsidze Nino 2456
GM
Kosintseva Nadezhda 2516
1-0
GM
Koneru Humpy 2598
GM
Lahno Kateryna 2537
½-½
WGM
Ju Wenjun 2518
IM
Munguntuul Batkhuyag 2447
½-½
IM
Mkrtchian Lilit 2450
Round eight: Wednesday July 24, 2012 at 15:00h
GM
Zhao Xue 2556
1-0
IM
Mkrtchian Lilit 2450
WGM
Ju Wenjun 2518
½-½
IM
Munguntuul Batkhuyag 2447
GM
Koneru Humpy 2598
0-1
GM
Lahno Kateryna 2537
IM
Khurtsidze Nino 2456
½-½
GM
Kosintseva Nadezhda 2516
GM
Danielian Elina 2480
½-½
IM
Kovalevskaya Ekaterina 2417
GM
Hou Yifan 2617
1-0
WGM
Ruan Lufei 2483
Round nine: Thursday July 25, 2012 at 15:00h
WGM
Ruan Lufei 2483
-
GM
Zhao Xue 2556
IM
Kovalevskaya Ekaterina 2417
-
GM
Hou Yifan 2617
GM
Kosintseva Nadezhda 2516
-
GM
Danielian Elina 2480
GM
Lahno Kateryna 2537
-
IM
Khurtsidze Nino 2456
IM
Munguntuul Batkhuyag 2447
-
GM
Koneru Humpy 2598
IM
Mkrtchian Lilit 2450
-
WGM
Ju Wenjun 2518
Round ten: Friday July 26, 2012 at 15:00h
GM
Zhao Xue 2556
-
WGM
Ju Wenjun 2518
GM
Koneru Humpy 2598
-
IM
Mkrtchian Lilit 2450
IM
Khurtsidze Nino 2456
-
IM
Munguntuul Batkhuyag 2447
GM
Danielian Elina 2480
-
GM
Lahno Kateryna 2537
GM
Hou Yifan 2617
-
GM
Kosintseva Nadezhda 2516
WGM
Ruan Lufei 2483
-
IM
Kovalevskaya Ekaterina 2417
Round eleven: Saturday July 27, 2012 at 15:00h
IM
Kovalevskaya Ekaterina 2417
-
GM
Zhao Xue 2556
GM
Kosintseva Nadezhda 2516
-
WGM
Ruan Lufei 2483
GM
Lahno Kateryna 2537
-
GM
Hou Yifan 2617
IM
Munguntuul Batkhuyag 2447
-
GM
Danielian Elina 2480
IM
Mkrtchian Lilit 2450
-
IM
Khurtsidze Nino 2456
WGM
Ju Wenjun 2518
-
GM
Koneru Humpy 2598

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