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Ju Wenjun won the first game of their semi-final match with Black against Alexandra Kosteniuk. In a French Tarrasch variation, Kosteniuk lost a pawn after a tactical trick and then had to fight for a draw:
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This DVD gives you the key to start out with the French Defence. GM Yannick Pelletier is a specialist of this opening, and believes that the most efficient way to understand its ideas, plans, and typical structures is to study classical lines.
After 18...Nxa6 then 19.Rxa6 would fail to 19...Qb7 double attacking the rook and threatening mate on g2. Kosteniuk played 19.Be3 but Black was in control for the rest of the game and won slowly in a minor piece ending.
Kosteniuk vs Ju Wenjun
Ju, therefore, needed only a draw with White today to move into the final. She played in a solid, restrained style, avoiding all complications. Kosteniuk found no way to spice up the game and had to agree to a draw in the rook ending after 73 moves.
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Alexandra Kosteniuk, a former World Champion is out | Photo: Official site
The game between Kateryna Lagno and Mariya Muzychuk was also extremely even throughout. Although Lagno, who played with White, sacrificed an early pawn in an open Spanish, Muzychuk quickly returned the pawn and, by move 24, the position flatlined into a double-rook endgame with opposite-coloured bishops. It took another 30 moves, but the game ended in a draw. The two players will need a Saturday tiebreak to determine who will face Ju in the final.
The Open Ruy Lopez gives Black free piece play and chances for the initiative. This sharp and interesting variation has been used by many of the all-time greats, including Anand, Kortschnoi, Botvinnik, Keres, Euwe, Fine and Reshevsky and this is by no means an exhaustive list. White will argue that Black loosens his position in the Open Variation, but if Black takes the time and trouble to learn the ideas and tactical themes that underpin this line, he has every chance to win the game. This will be especially interesting to the club player as it doubtless has been to the grandmasters mentioned above.
Kateryna Lagno | Photo: Official site
Mariya Muzychuk | Photo: Official site
Translation from German: Macauley Peterson
