Kazan GP R11: Humpy, Muzychuk share first at Women's GP

From June 9 to 23, 2012 Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, played 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.

Round eleven results

After eleven rounds the Slovenian GM Anna Muzychuk and Indian GM Humpy Koneru were joint winners. According to The regulations in case of a tie the Grand Prix ranking points and prize money will be split equally.

For Elina Danielian it was a very disappointing final result after having led throughout the first two thirds of the event. Her journey was remarkably similar to Morozevich's in the recently ended Tal, as she collapsed with three straight losses to barely make it past the 50% mark.

Elina Danielian was unable to sustain her momentum until the end

Even her opponent, Women World Champion Hou Yifan cannot be too happy after a disastrous start that included a loss to the bottom-seed Yildiz. This followed on a very tough event at Danzhou, however her sheer grit came through, and she battlled her way back to the top of the podium, for third, minimizing any further Elo loss.

Anna Muzychuk overcame Nadezhda Kosintseva in the final round after the latter went astray strategically, and lost control of the game.

This win guaranteed her at least a share of first, depending only on Humpy Koneru's result against Alisa Galliamova. Humpy also managed to win with black, and score her first major win since her failed title attempt against Hou Yifan. They were joint winners, since according to The regulations in case of a tie the Grand Prix ranking points and prize money will be split equally.

Humpy Koneru is ready to put her disappointing title bid behind her

Tatiana Kosintseva looked like she might lose the game against Katerina Lahno. Lahno built a massive attack, but at the critical moment, failed to find the strongest continuation and missing a zwischenzug, panicked and quickly lost.

Tatiana Kosintseva had an irregular event but managed to turn the tables in the last round

Even tailender Beatriz Yildiz will take home a memorable moment as she scored an
important win over Hou Yifan, 300 Elo her superior.

The closing ceremony

The closing ceremony took place in the Korston Hotel and was attended by FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, Minister on Affairs of Youth, Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Tatarstan Rafis Burganov, players, officials and spectators. The winners Anna Muzychuk and Humpy Koneru were awarded with big wooden chess pieces and all the participants of FIDE Grand Prix in Kazan were awarded with flowers and presents.

Anna Muzychuk and Humpy Koneru pose with FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov

Antoaneta Stefanova admires Anna Muzychuk's carved trophy

Viktorija Cmilyte received a special prize devoted to 100 years anniversary since the birthday of Rashit Nezmetdinov. Her victory against World Champion Hou Yifan was chosen by the organizing committee as the best game.

Viktorija Cmilyte won the prize for Best Game against Hou Yifan

At the closing ceremony FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has made a surprising gift for the Chess Federation of the Republic of Tatarstan - a set of electronic boards, in which participants played!

A group picture with the participants and officials

Final Statistics

The final round with five wins in six games, typified the fighting spirit displayed in the tournament. As can be seen below, the draw rate was actually below 50%, which is remarkable.

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

Final standings (after eleven rounds of play)

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