 The second day was really horrible for Russian participants – 5 out 6 players were eliminated and only Aleksandra Kosteniuk continues to play tomorrow with Sopiko Khukhashvili on the tie-break. Among the promoted players are Humpy Koneru, Hou Yifan, Dembo Yelena, Anna and Maria Muzichyk, Harika Dronavalli, Ju Wenjun, Zhao Xue, Anna Zatonskih. Seven matches will be decided on tie-breaks tomorrow.
After unfortunate start of the 2nd round Viktorija Cmilyte and Huang Qian won their games and equalized the score in the matches against Elisabeth Paehtz and Antoanetta Stefanova accordingly. Playing with black pieces Tatiana Kosintseva had to win today against Yelena Dembo after the unlucky first game. She was really close to succeed but lost the chance to activate her pieces under the time trouble and had to accept a draw.
The organizer of the World Women’s Championship Ali Nihat Yazici gives an interview.
The highest rated Russian player Tatiana Kosintseva was defeated by Yelena Dembo from Greece.
In attempt to equalize in the match Evgeniya Ovod tried to win queen endgame with pawn up but after 100 moves the position ended up in the stale mate.
Viktorija Cmilyte seems calm before the important game with German player Elisabeth Paehtz.
Antoaneta Stefanova was worse after the opening but her opponent Huang Qian failed to find the winning continuation. Slowly former world champion equalised the position but made some mistakes under the time trouble and lost her game.
Zhang Xiaowen will play in tie-break after she defeated her compatriot and rating favourite of the match Ruan Lufei in the second game.
Baira Kovanova lost the match to Ju Wenjun.
Maia Chiburdanidze is out of the tournament. Playing white former world champion didn`t get any advantage in the opening. The position looked playable at the moment when the players agreed a draw.
Humpy Koneru and her father in a good mode before the second game.
Georgian players Nana Dzagnidse and Sopiko Khukhashvili will both continue to play in tie-breaks tomorrow against Almira Skripchenko and Aleksanda Kosteniuk accordingly.
Photo shooting before the game.
Robert Fontaine talks to his compatriot Marie Sebag before the game.
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