Nicosia GP: Tan and Lagno share the lead

Lagno frontrunner in the GP standings

Going into the fourth and final stage of the Nicosia Grand Prix, three players had the best chances to get the two spots awarded by the series for the next edition of the Women’s Candidates Tournament: Aleksandra Goryachkina, Alexandra Kosteniuk and Kateryna Lagno, in that order. After three rounds, Lagno has become the frontrunner, as she has scored two wins and a draw, and is sharing the lead with Tan Zhongyi.

Making the right decisions in chess - Fundamentals

In a total of 6 chapters, we look at the following aspects: the right decision based on tactical factors, decisions in exchanges and moves, complex and psychological decisions in longer games and in defence.

Goryachkina has collected 1½ points, while Kosteniuk stands on a minus-one score with 1 point to her name. In round 3, Kosteniuk played white against Goryachkina, and managed to escape with a draw after defending an asymmetrical, inferior position.

While Lagno beat Polina Shuvalova and Gunay Mamamdzada in the first two rounds, Tan Zhongyi defeated Kosteniuk and Oliwia Kiolbasa before safely drawing Lagno with black in round 3.

Three players stand a half point behind the leaders: Harika Dronavalli, Polina Shuvalova and Dinara Wagner. Shuvalova lost her first game in Nicosia, but bounced back with two consecutive wins, over Bibisara Assaubayeva and Mammadzada respectively.

Fighting chess has been the rule in the Cypriot capital.

Tan Zhongyi | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Assaubayeva 0 - 1 Shuvalova

Analysis by Klaus Besenthal

Attack like a Super Grandmaster

In this Fritztrainer: “Attack like a Super GM” with Gukesh we touch upon all aspects of his play, with special emphasis on how you can become a better attacking player.

Polina Shuvalova during the third round | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Kosteniuk 0 - 1 Tan

Endgame analysis by Karsten Müller

Improve your chess with Tania Sachdev

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After losing to Tan Zhongyi, Alexandra Kosteniuk drew Bella Khotenashvili in round 2 | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Results - Round 3

Standings - Round 3

All games

Understanding Middlegame Strategies Vol.1-6

In this Videocourse we deal with different aspects of the middlegame which are important to study and improve your general understanding of chess structures.

Links

• Tournament page
• Kateryna Lagno wins Astana Women’s Grand Prix
• Kosteniuk wins Women’s Grand Prix in Munich
• Goryachkina, Zhu and Assaubayeva tie for first at New Delhi Grand Prix