WGP Geneva: four decisive games

Neva Women's Grand Prix in Geneva

The Neva Foundation in partnership with the Internation Chess Federation (FIDE) has organised the first leg of the official Women's Grand Prix series for the first time in Geneva. From May 3 to May 15, twelve of the best women players featuring current Women World Champion Anna Ushenina from Ukraine, will confront each other at the N'vY Manotel. The tournament is an eleven-round all-play-all at classical time controls.

Round eight report

One of the central games of the tournament was an encounter between Hou Yifan and Anna Ushenina, who in a few months will play the Women's World Championship match in China. The incumbent Anna Ushenina outplayed challenger Hou Yifan with the black pieces in 40 moves. The game is analysed by GM Adrian Mikhalchishin below.

The glare: former Women's World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk ...

... at the start of her successful game against Chinese WGM Ju Winjun

Nana Dzagnidze (above right) got a big advantage in the opening against Kateryna Lahno. Her pieces were better placed than opponent's, and she had good play on the queenside. It was possible for her to just increase her advantage step by step, but Nana decided to grab a pawn on the kingside, and after a few inaccurate moves in time pressure the Georgian player had to play for a draw. However she missed the key move (35…Rb3), and after that it was Black who started to play for win.

After 79 moves Katerina Lagno had wrapped up the game and taken the full point.

The game between two leaders, Anna Muzycuk and Bela Khotenashvili finished
in a draw, so that both players stay in the lead before the final free day.

Tatiana Kosintseva (above right) decided to play a new line with 7.Be3 in the Caro-Kann. Olga Girya was not ready for this variation and started to have problems with development.

After 13.c4 Qa5 Olga's position became hopeless and Tatiana took home the full point and now shares the 3-4 place, half a point behind the leaders.

Replay all games of the round

Select games from the dropdown menu above the board
A full summary of all games is to be found here on the official tournament site.

Current standings

Information and photos supplied by FIDE Press Officer Anastasiya Karlovich

Analysis by Adrian Mikhalchishin

The famous chess trainer, who coached a number of participants of the Geneva Grand Prix from their pre-teen years, provides live commentary during the games. Above Adrian (left) is discussing a round eight game with visiting Australian GM Ian Rogers.

In a form crisis? World Championship challenger Hou Yifan from China

The reigning World Champion Anna Ushenina, Ukraine

Trainings DVDs by Adrian Mikhalchishin in the ChessBase Shop

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 12 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.