Round 5 of the Tbilisi Women's Grand Prix saw three players grabbing their maiden wins in the single round-robin. Nana Dzagnidze (who beat Alexandra Kosteniuk), Mariya Muzychuk (R Vaishali) and Sara Khadem (Lela Javakhishvili) collected a full point for the first time in the event - in the last round before the rest day.
Khadem, who had only collected ½ point in the previous 4 rounds, reflected:
I was clearly a bit out of shape, so it means a lot that I could win today, and I go to the free day with positive energy.
With their wins on Monday, Dzagnidze and M. Muzychuk joined the leading pack, which also includes Stavroula Tsolakidou and Bibisara Assaubayeva. The co-leaders have 3 points each, while Khadem standing in last place has 1½ points to her name - i.e. it is anybody's tournament with 4 rounds to go.
Only one game in round 5 lacked excitement, as the three decisive encounters featured kings escaping direct attacks (not always successfully), while the draw in Tsolakidou v. Kashlinskaya saw the Polish player first defending a strategically inferior position and then missing a big chance to score a win.
Following the rest day, co-leaders Dzagnidze and Assaubayeva will face each other in round 6.
Mariya Muzychuk beat R Vaishali with the black pieces | Photo: FIDE / Anna Shtourman
Nana Dzagnidze | Photo: FIDE / Anna Shtourman
The sumptuous playing hall in Tbilisi | Photo: FIDE / Anna Shtourman
