Hou Yifan Wins Shenzhen

Pix 1. GM Hou Yifan, China (Picture courtesy of chess.ugrasport.com)

19 September 2011, Kuala Lumpur – Reigning Women’s World Champion, GM Hou Yifan of China manages to win the Shenzhen leg of the Women’s Grand Prix with 8 points. Meanwhile second place fell to IM Muzychuk Anna of Slovenia with 7 points.

Whychess reported that there were few surprises in the final round of the Shenzhen Women’s Grand Prix. All the top players drew, meaning that Hou Yifan has now won the first two stages of the 2011-12 FIDE Grand Prix series. Anna Muzychuk also finished unbeaten in clear second, while 5 of the top 6 players were Chinese.

For the second day in a row Anna Muzychuk matched Hou Yifan perfectly – both players gained a slight edge with the black pieces before accepting a draw a pawn up in an ending with opposite-coloured bishops. Hou Yifan finished on 8/11, a point ahead of Anna Muzychuk, who was in turn 1/2 a point ahead of the third placed players, Ju Wenjun and Tan Zhongyi.

The final standings are shown below:-

In the overall Grand Prix standings Hou Yifan now has the maximum possible 320, while Anna Muzychuk is second with 240. Of course, we're still in the early stages, as overall 6 events will be held. Each player will take part in 4, and their best 3 results will be counted.

The next Women's Grand Prix is in Nalchik, Russia from 8-23 October 2011, where the Kosintseva sisters and Alexandra Kosteniuk will be among those taking part. World Champion Hou Yifan will skip the event as she prepares to play a World Championship match against Humpy Koneru in Albania this November.

Official website
All the games with Houdini analysis at WhyChess