Round 3 begins in Khanty-Mansiysk
The first games of the Round 3 of the Women’s World Championship were played in the Ugra Chess Academy on November 9.
Antoaneta Stefanova suffered an opening disaster against Anna Muzychuk. According to the Ukrainian chess player, facing the Petrov Defense was rather surprising. “I am not sure whether Antoaneta ever played this opening before, and she clearly was not ready for the variation I chose. Her 9th move was inaccurate and allowed me to seize space and obtain a good game”, said Anna afterwards.
Already around the move 15 Black was in a serious trouble, and White successfully utilized advantages of her position. The former World Champion resigned on the move 26, unable to defend against mating threats.
Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova produced a mild sensation beating Valentina Gunina. Their game was double-edged, but in the mutual time trouble the Russian probably overestimated her chances, refusing a number of drawing options, made a fatal mistake and lost very quickly.
Jolanta Zawadzka surprised Zhansaya Abdumalik in the opening and got a promising position as White. The grandmaster from Poland produced a quality strategic game, won an exchange and eventually celebrated a win.
Ju Wenjun had Black against Zhai Mo. The younger Chinese player miscalculated a combination in the middlegame, lost an exchange, and was unable to survive.
Mobina Alinasab obtained a serious advantage after the opening against Mariya Muzychuk, and methodically applied pressure against Black’s position. The game transposed to a queen ending with an extra pawn to White, however, when Alinasab was on a brink of a victory, she committed a big mistake, allowing Black to survive with a rather miraculous perpetual check.
Alexandra Kosteniuk held as Black against Harika Dronavalli, defending a difficult endgame without a pawn.
Galliamova-Lei Tingjie and Pogonina-Lagno also ended peacefully.
The second games of the round will be played on Saturday, November 10. The tied matches will proceed to the tie-breaks on November 11.