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Pool B, the second stage of the 2022-23 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament held in Khiva, Uzbekistan, began with two attracts. GM Aleksandra Goryachkina was near a decisive benefit in her sport with GM Alexandra Kosteniuk, whereas GM Tan Zhongyi vs. GM Kateryna Lagno was about equal on a regular basis.

The second sport in each matches begins Wednesday, November 30 at 2 a.m. Pacific / 11:00 CET. The winner of Pool B will play Pool A winner GM Lei Tingjie for an opportunity to problem Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun within the subsequent title match.

25 days after Lei secured her spot within the Women’s Candidates closing, by profitable Pool A in Monaco, the struggle for the opposite spot began on Tuesday within the historic oasis metropolis of Khiva, Uzbekistan. Found about 1,500 years in the past, it’s well-known for being the birthplace of the astronomer, historian, and polymath Al-Biruni (973-1048 CE).

Uzbekistan can also be the birthplace of a few of right this moment’s largest skills in chess, and subsequently it is fairly becoming that it’s now internet hosting a prestigious FIDE occasion as a part of the world championship cycle.

Whereas two Ukrainian individuals performed in Pool A, FIDE has positioned the three Russian gamers in Pool B. Once once more, these quarterfinals and semifinals encompass four-game matches, whereas the ultimate, to be held within the first quarter of 2023, can be six classical video games. In case of a tie on the finish of every spherical, a speedy/blitz tiebreak can be performed.

For her first sport, Lagno did not go for the Grunfeld, her ordinary alternative, however performed the Queen’s Gambit Declined as a substitute. As Tan went for the Exchange variation, Lagno performed an early Nf6-e8-d6!? maneuver, additionally tried not too long ago by GM Magnus Carlsen, on the European Club Cup.

Black’s complete setup, with the opposite knight going to a6 and pushing …b5, was fairly successful as a result of Tan was too hesitant with “countering” within the middle.

“I believe I had a slight edge after she gave me the light-squared bishop however then I simply could not discover the correct technique to proceed,” mentioned Lagno. “Probably I mustn’t have taken on d3. After that I believe the place is already equal.”

Also within the different sport, an Anti-Berlin Ruy Lopez, it was Black who had the higher possibilities. In reality, Goryachkina’s benefit was near -3, in engine analysis phrases, on transfer 34. The direct 34…Qh5, threatening to enter on e2 whereas additionally preserving the choice of 34…b4 and profitable the battle for central squares, would have been powerful to satisfy for Kosteniuk.

“I believe sooner or later I began doing one thing incorrect,” mentioned Kosteniuk. “I used to be very nervous about my place. I believe in time-trouble I bought fortunate to trade all the things. Of course I’m not very glad with my efficiency right this moment.”

The Game of the Day annotated by GM Rafael Leitao can be added quickly. 

The 2022-23 Women’s Candidates Tournament is an elite occasion that includes eight high feminine gamers, who compete in a knockout format for a share of the €250,000 prize fund and the correct to play within the Women’s World Championship match towards Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun.

Pool A was received by GM Lei Tingjie; Pool B takes place November 29-December 11, 2022 in Khiva, Uzbekistan. The prize fund is 70,000 euros, whereas one other 110,000 can be at stake in subsequent 12 months’s closing. The time management is 90 minutes for the primary 40 strikes, adopted by half-hour for the remainder of the sport with an increment of 30 seconds per transfer ranging from transfer one. A draw supply earlier than transfer 40 is just not allowed.