Tehran WWCh Rd2 TB: When the experience matters!
2/17/2017 – The common theme in the tie-break games of the second round was as follows: the experienced players managed to keep calm, play the board, and with consistent play, they took their chances and scored in the most crucial moments. After all, in such a win-or-die format, one has to have the stomach and gut for such a nerve-wracking job in order to win. In addition, two thrilling Armageddons would tell us enough. decided in overtime. Here is the report with photos and GM analysis.
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All photos by David Llada
With nine out of sixteen matches going into the tie-break zone, it was no wonder that we had a day full of drama! The common theme today was as follows: the experienced players managed to keep calm, play the board, and with consistent play, they took their chances and scored in the most crucial moments. However, on the other hand, many who did not manage to handle their nerves and keep their composure capitulated to the stress. After all, in such a win-or-die format, one has to have the stomach and gut for such a nerve-wracking job in order to win. Speaking of getting the job done, two thrilling Armageddons would tell us enough about the high tension in this tournament.
Is it mate or stalemate?
The most topsy-turvy event of the day was once again among the two lower-rated players, who had managed to upset their opponents in the first round’s tie-breaks. Sopiko Guramishvili and Natalia Buksa had their share of luck in each of their classical games to end up with a point apiece in their encounter. However, when a draw is not going to be enough, things got highly tenacious and dramatic for these ladies. After two draws, Buksa drew first blood with black but Sopiko leveled the match in the most dramatic fashion with the help of her opponent:
After this painful loss, Natalia still managed to draw the next game but succumbed to Sopiko’s attack in the game after that, Thus, her story in Tehran ended here.
The theory does not matter. Immense experience and a great fighting experience — sounds like a recipe for success!
Veteran and living legend Pia Cramling is a true fighter and a role model for chess players. One should not forget that she made it to the semi-final in the last cycle and in this cycle and she is now in top 16 eliminating IM Elizabeth Paehtz. Cramling’s unconventional approach in this match was quite interesting: she chose to play 4…g6?! on the black side of the Catalan and despite having a worse position managed to win the game and the match.
Indians are good at rapids!
Indian champion Padmini Rout is definitely ‘en route’!
Both representatives of India, GM Harika Dronavalli and Padmini Rout won their respective matches with a good show. Padmini specifically is en route to something big in this event, dismantling the much higher-rated Zhao Xue 1.5-0.5. Read more with master analysis here.
The Armageddon!
On the other tables, the experienced ones got the better of their less experienced opponents. Thus, Stefanova and Pogonina made it to the next round while, Melia Salome, Huang Qiang, have to go home.
Antoneta Stefanova
Natalia Pogonina
Kosteniuk managed to outplay Gaponnenko despite the latter’s great performance in this tournament. This leaves us with two nail-biting matches which led to the Armageddons!
Nino Batsiashvili
Khurstsidze and Batsiashvili had a very close match in which the latter had played a little bit better in the entire match. However, every time Batsiashvili went ahead, Khurtsidze managed to pull herself together and keep the match balanced. They went all the way to the Armageddon, in which, Batsiashvili got a winning position on the white side but in an Armageddon, anything can happen!
Anna Ushenina
The other Armageddon game happened between Anna Ushenina and Tan Zhongyi in a game where the tables turned around several times. It was Ushenina who made the final mistake and Let Zhongyi slip out of her hand. Thus, Tan Zhongyi made it to the third round!
Pairings for Round 03
Links
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Discussion and Feedback
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Poor Pia, you guys love to post the most unflattering pics of Pia. But in truth, it is much better to be ignored--all she lacks is incisors.
What a joke. FIDE accepts an event sponsor that bars a leading FIDE jurisdiction and forces women to cover their heads. Europe, you are PATHETIC. You will deserve the subjugation you are accepting happily, like sheep.
What a joke. FIDE accepts an event sponsor that bars a leading FIDE jurisdiction and forces women to cover their heads. Europe, you are PATHETIC. You will deserve the subjugation you are accepting happily, like sheep.
Is it painful to see these photos.
No Israelis allowed to play in a formal FIDE world championship. a shame for FIDE, and also for chessbase for no protest. Should have avoid of reviewing such hateful events.
You'll soon get the Burka in Europe, this called Karma.
You'll soon get the Burka in Europe, this called Karma.
notice the news is always a day late? if it was male championship challengers, there would be express reports...hehehe.
meanwhile, tomboy-sweet chilli-lovely lady-Hou Yifan is busy preparing to play with the boys #notmytournament...lol
meanwhile, tomboy-sweet chilli-lovely lady-Hou Yifan is busy preparing to play with the boys #notmytournament...lol
yeah, hoodie event!!
Boycott this shameful submission to subjugation.
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