Kazan GP Rd.5: two decisive games, Muzychuk joins lead

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).

Free day

On Thursday the Grand Prix participants enjoyed the first rest day. The organizers provided a sightseeing tour of Kazan, the capital and largest city of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. Kazan celebrated its millennium in 2005, after a city-organized historical commission settled on 1005 as the official year of the city's founding. Since 2000, the city has been undergoing a total renovation. The historical center, including its Kremlin, has been rebuilt.

During the millennium celebrations, one of the largest mosque in Russia, Qolsharif, was dedicated in the Kazan Kremlin, the holiest copy of Our Lady of Kazan was returned to the city, the "Millennium Bridge" was inaugurated that year, and the Kazan Metro began operation.

Admiring a statue of Karl Fuks, founder of the Kazan Naturalists’ School and the
author of a guidebook on practical medicine and hygiene in the Tatar language.

Karl Fuks was the first doctor, who got recognition of the Kazan Tatars. Muslims, being afraid of witchcraft, which is strictly disapproved by Koran, gave no credence to foreign doctors. Fuks was the only exception, and doors were always opened for that "tabib". His knowledge of the Tatar language and undeniable great doctor’s talent won the hearts of Kazan citizens. A major field in medicine where nobody could compare with him was diagnostics. [See: The City of Kazan]

Visiting the Qolsharif Mosque in the Kazan Kremlin

Inside the mosque, originally built in in the 16th century

A fish-eye view of the participants in front of the Soyembika tower, also know as the leaning tower. By the early 20th century, its inclination was estimated at 194 cm (76 in). Diverse stabilization methods were used to straighten the tower in the 1930s and 1990s.

Hou Yifan touching the leaning walls of the the Soyembika tower

Round five

Playing black the leader of the tournament Elina Danielian (right) made a draw
against Viktorija Cmilyte (left) in a slightly better endgame for white.

Anna Muzychuk defeated Betul Yildiz to join Elina Danielian in the lead with 3.5/5

Katerina Lahno (left) received a big advantage in the opening, playing white against
Alexandra Kosteniuk (right), and managed to convert her advantage into full point

Antoaneta Stefanova (right) was close to winning against Alisa Galliamova, as was...

... Tatiana Kosintseva (left) against and Humpy Koneru, but both drew their games

Nadezhda Kosinsteva got better position playing with white against Hou Yifan but the world
champion exchanged few pieces and succeeded to make a draw in a slightly worse endgame

Round five has significantly changed the tournament ranking. Anna Muzychuk (Slovenia) joined Elina Danielian (Armenia) on top with 3.5 points. Katerina Lahno (Ukrane), Nadezhda Kosintseva (Russia), Humpy Koneru (India) and Viktoria Chilyte are in 3rd–6th places with three points. Antoaneta Stefanova (Bulgaria) is alone in the 7th spot, followed by Alisa Galliamova, Alexandra Kostenyuk (both Russia) and Hou Yifan (China) with 2.0/5 points. Tatiana Kosintseva has 1.5/5, and Betul Yildiz (Turkey) closes the ranking with one point.

Standings after five rounds of play

Replay all games of round five on our Javascript player

Round six pairings

Photos and reports by Anastasiya Karlovich and Rashit Shiriyazdanov, with kind permission of FIDE

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.