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All photos by David Llada
The semi-final mini matches of women world championship in Tehran saw two very different matches. After a miraculous win in the first round, Anna Muzychuk went on to win a comfortable game in the second game against the last of eleven Russians, Aleksandra Kosteniuk, to seal the deal 2-0 in her favor. With 9 out of 10 possible points, Anna has shown an impressive performance in this tournament so far. She has won all of her matches in classical games and made fewer mistakes than any other player in this tournament. Is she going to win this championship after her sister Mariya won the last edition? We shall wait and see who is going to take Anna for the final fight starting in on Monday (Sunday is a day off according to the tournament schedule).
The untouchable! With two days to rest and clearing her mind, Anna is the definite favorite in the final in every aspect
A legend in knockout championships, ex-world champion Aleksandra Kosteniuk was stopped this time, a game shy from the final
On the other hand, the other match was anything but one-sided. After a series of nervous maneuvers, blunders, and oversights of each other plans, Harika Dronavali managed to reach a won endgame against Tan Zhongyi, which she then masterfully improved to culminate with a knight and pawn up. Everyone seemed ready to call it a day and congratulate Harika for her great comeback and forcing her fifth consecutive tiebreak.
However, what happened next was almost what famous coach and writer, Mark Dvoretsky, called a tragicomedy in his bible-like endgame manual. Harika got a bishop and knight endgame in the following won position:
Harika Dornavalli - Tan Zhongyi (semifinal, game two)
The queen of tiebreaks does it again! Harika is going into her fifth tiebreak! She had a great come back! In fact this was the first time she had to equalize, and she pulled it off!
A heartbreaking loss for Tan Zhongyi, yet she has proven capable of pulling out victories in the most improbable moments
By Albert Silver
There could hardly be a more dramatic nail-biting tiebreak than the one spectators and fans were treated to between Tan Zhongyi and Harika Dronavali. It all started right from the get-go in game one of the rapid. The time control was 25 minutes with a 10-second increment:
Harika Dronavalli - Tan Zhongyi (TB Rapid 25m + 10s)
However, the rejoicing for the Indian’s fans was short-lived as the Chinese player struck back in the second rapid game and outplayed her opponent in a knight endgame.
A fantastic match and tiebreak between the two players that was thrilling to watch and cheer for
This led to the next mini-match now at a speedier 10 mins + 10-second increment. Game one went to Tan Zhongyi this time, meaning she only needed a draw in the second game to secure her spot in the final.
Harika Dronavalli - Tan Zhongyi (TB Blitz 10m + 10s)
Once more, everyone was watching with bated breath. The elite events such as Aeroflot and Sharjah might be competing with the ladies in terms of time slots, but all eyes were on this incredibly exciting back-and-forth encounter between the two.
Harika Dronavalli with her number one supporter there: her grandmother
The fight was now down to a mini-match of two blitz games played at 5 minutes with a three-second increment. For once, it was not settled in wild matches of a win each, and with two draws, the match was to be decided once and for all with an Armageddon. In it, White would have a time advantaged of five minutes against Black’s four but Black would have drawing odds, meaning if a draw was the result on the board, Black was the winner.
There was a drawing of pieces and Harika Dronavalli took white
Harika Dronavalli - Tan Zhongyi (TB Armageddon)
Disappointment....
... or relief, it depended on who you were rooting for, but it was thumping hearts throughout for all.
A disappointment for the Indian player who could give that timeless chess phrase, “I was winning”, but truth be told, the Chinese player had chances to decide things in previous encounter as well, and neither could claim any moral victory except for that indisputable one: Tan Zhongyi was the last one standing and will proceed to the final. Her match could not be any harder with an Anna Muzychuk in vicious form. The Ukrainian has not only not played a single tiebreak, but her overall score in standard games has been a staggering 9.0/10 and she has gained 32 Elo already as a result. Still, Tan Zhongyi’s fighting spirit and sheer resilience are not to be underestimated. She fought and clawed her way all the way to the final after all, and outlasted all her would-be rivals.
Sunday will be a rest day, and the final match will be on Monday. Don’t miss it!
LinksThe 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 14 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs. |
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