Sharjah 07: They're unstoppable!

The sixth and final stage of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix series 2013-2014 is taking place at the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club, (UAE) from the 24th of August until the 7th of September 2014. Over eleven rounds, twelve of the strongest women players in the world will compete in the round robin tournament with the standard FIDE time control of 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, with 30 minutes being added at that point and an additional 30 seconds per move through the entire game.

Round Seven

The trophies to the winner of the Grand Prix, which seems to be Hou Yifan

Tuvshintugs, Batchimeg ½-½ Zhao Xue
White had an edge at many points of the game. Her desire not to press was somewhat justifiable, but at the same time it feels that Tuvshintugs is selling herself short and the level of play she has exhibited in this tournament is superior to that of her opponents'. A draw was agreed after the Mongolian player let Zhao Xue off the hook and transposed into an equal endgame.

Despite Zhao Xue's high rating, her 50% performance is still on par as she
has played most of the top players in the event

Batchimeg Tuvshintugs (background) and Elina Danielian
arrive early to their game (not against each other)

l'Ami, Alina ½-½ Danielian, Elina
White had a good chance to get an extra pawn but it seems as if the Romanian player completely missed her chance. After that, instead, she suffered in a long rook and pawn endgame, but it never seemed as if she was in any serious trouble. The draw was a fair result.

Muminova, Nafisa 0-1 Ju Wenjun
After clearly not understanding what the plans after the opening were, Muminova placed her pieces in awkward spots. Ju Wenjun's swift attack completely dismantled White's undeveloped position.

Nafisa has managed to get the best of the best against
the ropes, but today was not one of those days

Ju Wenjun isn't complaining! An easy victory with Black keeps her in pace with
Hou Yifan, who she faces tomorrow with white.

Hou Yifan 1-0 Zhu Chen
Not the World Champion's cleanest chess game, but somehow it proved effective nonetheless. White if anything was banking that Black would make a mistake in the long term, but it didn't seem as if it would happen. Zhu Chen obtained a great position and gradually outplayed Hou Yifan, but at some point she slipped and underestimated the danger against her king in the endgame. The tournament leader took no mercy on the isolated king and her brutal attack netted her two passed pawns that were simply unstoppable, enough to win the resulting rook endgame.

A few more victories and Hou Yifan might just pass Judit Polgar

Droanavalli Harika ½-½ Ushenina, Anna
Despite Black's questionable opening choice, she was never in danger in this game. Her position remained solid and every piece trade made it simpler for her to defend. The resulting endgame was not dangerous for her at all, and a draw was agreed after the 40th move.

Ushenina's 4.0/7 is a very respectable score

Koneru Humpy 1-0 Kosintseva, Tatiana
Humpy showed that her technique is still one of the World's best. Despite not obtaining too much from this Ragozin, the Indian player found some small pressure and transposed into a rook endgame where she was slightly worse. With beautiful king maneuvers and precisely timed pawn sacrifices, she was able to force the issue in her favor and Kosintseva simply could not defend. A great lesson in endgame technique worthy of any Capablanca game.

Kosintseva today felt the wrath of the World #3

A much needed win for Humpy, but she needs much more than that to threaten Hou Yifan

Round Seven Games

Select from the dropdown menu to replay the games

Standings

All photos by Maria Emelianova

Pairings and Schedule

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 12 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.