Kazan GP R09: Danielian falters, as Koneru, Kosteniuk and Hou win

From June 9 to 23, 2012 Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, will play host to the 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).

Round nine results

Elina Danielian (above left) lost the first game in the tournament, to Alexandra Kosteniuk

The former women's world champion, who had white pieces, played for initiative from the opening and found nice sacrifice to open the central files and create a decisive attack on opponent's king. The defeat of the Armenian player allowed Anna Muzychuk, who made a draw against Viktorija Chmilyte, and Humpy Koneru, who won against Katerina Lahno, catch her on the top of the scoreboard. Although two rounds to go there are three leaders in the tournament.

The begin of the round, with the game Galliamova-Hou Yifan about to begin

Hou Yifan managed to win in close to draw rook endgame against Alisa Galliamova

After five hours of play Antoaneta Stefanova got winning chances in a bishop endgame against Betul Yildiz,
but didn’t find the way to create more problems for her opponent and as a result the game was drawn.

Predictably, the Kosintseva sisters drew their game, which this time only lasted 14 moves

Humpy Koneru gound her opponent Kateryna Lahno down in an 82-move marathon

Photos and reports by Anastasiya Karlovich and Rashit Shiriyazdanov (above)

Standings after nine rounds of play

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Final rounds ten and eleven (June 21 and 22)

Links Official tournament site + all ChessBase reports 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.