Chinese sensation Grand Master Hou Yifan annexed the Women Grand Prix tournament at Mongolia.Despite food poisoning Hou maintained her winning ability and scored important victories between the 7th and 10 rounds and made a draw in the final round against former World Women Champion Stefanova. Stefanova finished 2nd in this tournament.

Stefanova Antoaneta - Hou Yifan 1/2 - 1/2

From English opening the game shifted to New Indian opening. After some exchanges in the middlegame White gained a good position with a passed pawn on c6. White should have planned 18.Qf7, then Rac1, Kh1 instead of going 18.Qd4. After 21...e5 positions were equalized, and after series of exchanges a draw position developed in queen endgame. White tried to break this parity several times but failed, and the game ended in a draw.

Antoaneta: Opening was not bad for me. I do not know if I could play better, maybe I did not find right moves, especially in queen endgame. I must note that my opponent played impeccably and draw was a logical result. In any case, playing that early in the morning may have affected this game. But I would comment that Hou Yifan did not lose a single game and I congratulate her with the overall triumph in this tournament.

Q: Hou, congratulations to you on the winning and how do you describe your final game?

Hou: The opening play was good. After exchange of pieces I had chances to better my position, I settled for a draw which was perfectly good for me.

Q: How do you feel being the winner, Hou?

Hou: Every round was difficult and until the end of this tournament I was not sure about my victory.

Q: Antoaneta, how does it feel to be runner up, was it a good result for you?

Antoaneta: Of course, everyone strives to be the winner. But the second place is not bad either; anyway I had improved since my last Grand Prix appearance. Maybe I could have played more successfully this time, I do not know. 

Q: After completing all 11 rounds, what do you think about the organization of this tournament in comparison with other Grand Prix tournaments?

Antoaneta: Generally, the organization of this tournament was good, and pleasant conditions for participants were created. However, I have one recommendation: please, set the time for final round at least at 12:00 o'clock.

Hou: Organization of this tournament was nice. Much attention was given to players' needs, everyone was helpful, conditions were comfortable. I would like to thank everyone involved.

Interview with Hou Yifan

Q: Yifan, congratulate you on the victory! Which game was the most difficult for you?

Yifan: The game of the first round with Tatiana Kosintseva – I had a dangerous position and might have lost.

Q: Did you expected before the tournament you are the winner?

Yifan: I came to Mongolia for the first time and it was interesting for me to see the new country and culture. As for the tournament: I expected a good result, but my main goal was to show the good playing. I did not think much about the result.

Q: Whom do you work with?

Yifan: Now I have 2 coaches: the main trainer of Chinese team Ye Jiangchuan and Yu Shaoteng.

Q: You often play strong open tournaments. Don’t you have plans, following the example of Judit Polgar, to play only with men?

Yifan: She is very strong at that time, her level is much higher than the one of other female players. As for me, I think I will play both women and men tournaments.

Q: Do you have an idol in chess?

Yifan: Yes, he is Bobby Fischer. He was very strong, his personality differs from others. He was American and achieved a champion title when the soviet school dominated all over the world. I like his style.

Yifan: Both positional and tactical, but prefer to play actively.

Yifan: In September I am going to Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, but I do not know about World blitz championship – I have not seen regulations yet.

Courtesy Official Website. Visit the official website for more information on games, photos and other important details.

Final standings after 11 rounds:  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2

1. Dzagnidze, Nana  g GEO 2478 * 1 1 1 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 9  2748
2. Kosintseva, Tatiana  m RUS 2534 0 * 0 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 1 1 1 7½ 2614
3. Danielian, Elina  m ARM 2473 0 1 * ½ 0 ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 1 ½ 6½ 2551
4. Mkrtchian, Lilit  m ARM 2477 0 ½ ½ * 1 0 ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 1 6½ 2551
5. Stefanova, Antoaneta  g BUL 2560 0 ½ 1 0 * 0 ½ 1 1 1 ½ 1 6½ 2543
6. Hou Yifan  g CHN 2589 ½ 0 ½ 1 1 * 1 0 ½ 0 ½ 1 6  2512
7. Cramling, Pia  g SWE 2536 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 * ½ 0 ½ 1 1 5½ 2480
8. Shen Yang  wg CHN 2452 ½ 0 0 ½ 0 1 ½ * ½ ½ 1 1 5½ 2488
9. Chiburdanidze, Maia  g GEO 2514 0 0 0 0 0 ½ 1 ½ * 1 ½ 1 4½ 2417
10. Xu Yuhua  g CHN 2484 ½ 0 ½ 0 0 1 ½ ½ 0 * 1 0 4  2383
11. Kovanova, Baira  wg RUS 2366 0 0 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 0 ½ 0 * 1 3  2321
12. Fierro Baquero, Martha L m ECU 2363 0 0 ½ 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 * 1½ 2187

World Fide Women Grand Prix Jermuk 2010 Round 10games
Game 1.