Rostov R2: Yifan strikes again, leads with 2.0/2

The Rostov Chess Federation in collaboration with FIDE and Global Chess is organising the first event for the 2011/2012 Women's Grand Prix series. The tournament is being held in the Don-Plaza Hotel and runs from August 1st (arrival, opening) until August 15 (departure). The eleven rounds are between August 2nd and 14, with rest days on the 6th and 11th. The start of the games from of rounds 1-10 is 3:00 p.m. local time, round 11 at starts at noon local time. The winner receives 6,500 Euros out of a total prize fund of 40,000 Euros, and the overall winner of the Women's Grand Prix will win a further 15,000 Euros at the end of the series.

Alisa Galliamova, Kateryna Lahno, Tatiana Kosintseva, Nadezhda Kosintseva, Hou Yifan, Koneru Humpy, Anna Muzychuk, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Antoneta Stefanova, Elina Danielian, Ruan Lufei, Ekaterina Kovalevskaya

The Rostov Women's Grand Prix is one of the strongest women tournaments of all times. The participants include current Women World Champion Hou Yifan, two former Women World champions: Alexandra Kosteniuk and Antoaneta Stefanova, as well as challenger in the World Championship Match Humpy Koneru who are all among the highest ranked women players in the world.

Round two

Preparing for battle: Women's World Champion Hou Yifan and Russian WGM Alisa Galliamova

At the press conference after the game Anastasiya Karlovich interviews the players

Alisa: In the opening I made a mistake by playing d5. Afterwards I thought I would have a chance to play Be7 instead of Qd7, but it would not have saved the game, because I think Be7 is not good due to the white answer Nf5.

Yifan: I was surprised when my opponent played d5. I’m not sure but I think it was not very good for her. Instead she could choose such move as Nd7. Concerning organization I can say that everything is fine here at the moment. The hotel is very nice. I had a chance to walk a bit and can say that it's very fresh here compare to China. Beijing is very hot these days, so I'm enjoying the weather here. It's my first time in Rostov and I hope I'll have other opportunities to come back to this city.

Antoaneta Stefanova, who played a 98-move game in round one...

... tried for 111 moves to overcome top seed Humpy Koneru

.

Anastasia Karlovich, Nadezhda Kosintseva, Ekaterina Kovalevskaya

Nadezhda: It is my first time in Rostov-on-Don as well as the first participation in a FIDE Grand Prix. I can say that the tournament is organised on a high level. Both hotel and catering – all conditions are perfect. Unfortunately such women's tournaments are rare. I am very glad that this one is being held in in Russia – in my motherland.

Ekaterina: No doubt I like everything. I am very happy to host this tournament in my home city. I combine the pleasant with the useful, playing chess and spending time with my numerous friends here. I am proud of the fact that the Grand Prix is taking place here and it is organised on the highest level. I do hope the other girls like it here too.

The game Kateryna Lahno vs Alexandra Kosteniuk, which was drawn in 47 moves

Anastasia: It seems that White had an obvious advantage?

Kateryna: Yes, it was the case, but I cannot say how big it was. Advantage is not the victory yet. More likely I should have played 18.bxc5. I saw this continuation, but at that moment I decided that it was better to play in another way and win the game comfortably. However, I underestimated Alexandra's move 24...Bd7. I thought that I would deliver mate by playing Qh5, Rd1 and Bd4. After Bd7 I had a completely new play with new chances, however, everything did not go in the way I would like to.

Alexandra: Yes, I agree that Katya had a rather big advantage. And still maybe the move bxc5 was more correct. After the move Bd7 I still thought White to have an advantage. In fact, the draw today is the biggest of my dreams. After 28.Qh4 I understood that draw had been provided for me. There were no more threats, and though my structure was bad but the pieces activity was high.

Alexandra: To my mind, the tournament is organised on a high level, perfect hotel and wonderful playing hall. Also I appreciate the fact that the hotel is situated in the center, surrounded by many green parks. For instance, in Tbilisi the hotel was also very good, but there was no place to walk, and that is very important for chess players. I have already taken an opportunity to go for a walk around the city. I like everything here.

Kateryna: So do I and share Alexandra's opinion. The organisers did their utmost to make us feel at home. All the conditions to play are provided. I already had time to leave the hotel, but I had to return soon because it was too hot outside. I like everything here and look forward to the excursions that have already roused our curiosity.

Ruan Lufei vs Elina Danielian, with arbiter WGM Zsuzsa Veroci of Hungary

Tatiana Kosintseva vs Anna Muzychuk – an Accelerated Dragon drawn in 42 moves

Current standings

Pictures by Anastasiya Karlovich and
Kema Goryaeva with kind permission of FIDE

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.

Copyright ChessBase