Humpy Koneru and Anna Muzychuk celebrated their win in Kazan

The 11th round of FIDE Women Grand Prix in Kazan sealed a confident win of two players. Indian Humpy Koneru has defeated Alisa Galliamova with black pieces and collected 7,5 points overall, reaching Anna Muzychuk, which celebrated her victory over Nadezhda Kosintseva in her turn. As a result, 2 players finished on the top, followed by the current world champion Hou Yifan (China) and Lithuanian Viktorija Cmilyte with 7 points. In her last game in Kazan, Hou Yifan has secured a confident win over Elina Danielian with white pieces, while Viktorija Cmilyte shared points with Antoaneta Stefanova.

Elina Danelian from Armenia and Russian Alexandra Kostenyuk collected 6 points each to share 5th – 6th positions. Ex-world champion defeated Betul Yildiz and sufficiently improved her ranking. One more Russian Tatiana Kosintseva finished seventh with 5.5 points, one of which earned during the 11th match against Ukrainian Katerina Lahno. Lahno consequently ranked one spot lower with half a point behind.

Nadezhda Kosintseva and Bulgarian Antoaneta Stefanova finally rested on the 9th – 10th places  with 4.5 points, Russian Alisa Galliamova showed 11th  result, winning 3 points, followed by Betul Yildiz from Turkey with 2.5 points.

After the close of the tournament, Hou Yifan and Elina Danielian shared their impressions with journalists.

Hou Yifan: - I could have started in Kazan much better, and therefore I am not very much pleased with my results.

Elina Danielian: On the contrary, after a good start I lost three games in a row at the finish. However, I am more or less satisfied with the way I played here.

How many tournaments a year do you play?

Hou Yifan: - I didn’t count that. As far as I remember, I compete almost every single month.  

Elina Danelian: - As for me, I turn o play less and less. I think I play around 8 tournaments a year.

What are your impressions from Kazan?   

Hou Yifan: - I liked everything here. People are friendly and nice, and very hospitable.  

Elina Danelian: I was in Kazan, when I was a child and took part in some children tournaments. When we went on a tour about the city, I could remember nothing. I learned the city as if I was for the first time here. The city is constantly changing and renewing. It is very nice indeed and I’m certain it will become even better.

The press-conference was occasionally interrupted by a small boy of about six, who wanted to ask the players his own questions. Startled for a moment, the boy did not hesitate to complete his mission:

How did you play when you were a child, - he asked Elina Danelian

Elina Danelian: My results were very different. I used to win and lose, and I was very much upset when I lost games with good winning chances. I even used to cry.

To crown it all grandmasters wished the little player to have a good luck and good chess prospects.