The medal-winners of the World Championships (April 22-28) received their medals and memorable gifts in the Culture Palance “October”. The official guests of the closing ceremony congratulated the players and expressed their gratitude to the organizers. The FIDE Vice-President Vanik Zakarian on behalf of the FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov once again thanked the local authorities for their hospitality and professionalism. “We are very happy to crown the new World Champions. On behalf of the FIDE I reserved our special thanks to the Ugra Governor Natalia Komarova. We know that the Okrug always carries out all sporting events at the highest level, and these Championships once again proved that”, mentioned Mr Zakarian.

The Deputy Governor of Ugra Alexey Putin wished the participants to achieve new summits and return to Khanty-Mansiysk soon. “We are looking forward to your return. We are happy to accommodate such a strong players in our Okrug. Hopefully these tournaments will boost chess development in our region”.

“I am sincerely grateful to the Ugra leadership for organizing two major tournaments at such a high level. I am amazed by combination of beauty and intelligence in our players”, – said the chief arbiter Andrzej Filipowicz before announcing the outcome of the events.

The gold medal of the World Rapid Championship is awarded to Kateryna Lagno (Ukraine), the silver and the bronze medals git the Russians Alexandra Kosteniuk and Olga Girya. It should be noted that Olga developed as a chess player in Ugra.

Slovenian grandmaster of Ukrainian origin Anna Muzychuk won the World Blitz Championship. The silver medal went to Nana Dzagnidze (Georgia), the Russian Tatiana Kosintseva is the bronze medalist.

The closing ceremony was concluded with the concert of Khanty-Mansiysk’s artists. A waltz, Japanese motives, songs about chess, and international popular songs by charming singers put a nice finishing touch on the chess marathon in Ugra. A violin solo accompanied by a video-installation of the most memorable episodes of the events was a final chord of the concert.

The championships were attended by 34 players from 14 countries. The prize fund of each championship was $50,000.

The Blitz Championship concluded a row of official events that lasted nearly two months in Khanty-Mansiysk.

– Anna, how important is this victory for you? How prestigious is winning the Blitz Championship?

– I am very happy about this achievement.

– You visited the press-center two days ago. You were in the lead, but there were many interesting events since that time. Tell us about the next two days of the tournament.

– As you remember, the first day was quite successful for me – I led with a decent margin. Yesterday was a tough day, I didn’t score many points, but the opponents were very strong. I tried to do my best and was a bit disappointed yesterday, but today things went much better.

– Do you mean the first game of the second day, when you blundered badly against Stefanova? How did you recover after such stress?

– Yes, it was horrible. I handled the game well, but blew it by blundering a mate in one. Fortunately, it didn’t knock me off, quite contrary: I was very aggressive in the second game and managed to even the score.

– What was your mood today?

– As I said, I was disappointed about the second day, but today I looked forward to winning after playing 10 more games.

– Anna, you were very close to the first place many times, but often finished second or tied for the first. As far as I know, this is your first clear big win. Is this a rewarding feeling?

– Indeed, I was close to the top many times, but didn’t win many titles. Finally my efforts were rewarded!

– Who supported you during the tournament and how will you celebrate?

– First of all, my sister – she was here, as well as my parents. I dedicate this victory to my father, tomorrow is his birthday. Hopefully the weather will be fine, and tomorrow we’ll celebrate it together. I also received support from my friends and English stream commentator Evgeny Miroshnichenko.

– Did you receive any congratulations from Slovenian authorities?

– When I tied for the third place at the European championship, I received congratulations from the Slovenian Prime Minister. So far there was nothing, because the tournament just ended, but one thing is for certain: there will be no celebratory meeting in Slovenia, because I’ll travel to Ukraine.

Nana Dzagnidze took the silver medal with 20,5 points, while Tatiana Kosintseva won the bronze after the furious finish that brought her to 20 points.

The FIDE Women World Blitz Championship 2014 was held from 26th to 28th April at the Ugra Chess Academy in Khanty-Mansiysk.

Entering the third day of the Championship, Anna Muzychuk and Nana Dzagnidze were tied on the first place with 15/20 points each.

Already in the 11th round Dzagnidze was held to 1-1 by Harika and Muzychuk beat Natalia Zhukova 2-0.

Muzychuk continued the winning row with 1,5-0,5 against Elisabeth Paehtz and 2-0 against Anna Ushenina. Meanwhile, Dzagnidze could not make more than 1-1 against Alexandra Kosteniuk and Marina Guseva, respectively.

Following the 14th round 1-1 tie with Marina Guseva, Anna Muzychuk secured the title of Women’s World Blitz Champion with one round to spare.

This result is immensely important for the young Slovenian, who many times finished joint first or second in the official events, but never before took the trophy.

Dzagnidze still had to work to secure the silver and 1,5-0,5 against Inna Gaponenko in the 15th round was just enough to seal the 2nd place.

Tatiana Kosintseva defeated Guseva 2-0 to clinch the bronze medal.

34 female players from 13 countries competed for the title and prize fund of $50,000.

The Blitz Championship concludes a row of official events that lasted nearly two months in Khanty-Mansiysk! It all started early March with the FIDE Candidates Tournament, followed by the FIDE Women Grand Prix and the FIDE Women World Rapid Championship.

Nana Dzagnidze (Georgia):

– This wasn’t my best day, but I am more or less satisfied with my play. I didn’t do so well in the Grand Prix and Rapid Championship, so this is my best achievement here. The second place is an excellent result, I am satisfied with it. I fell very tired right now and miss my baby, so I want to return home.

Tatiana Kosintseva (Russia):

– I started the tournament poorly, with many unexpected mistakes and losses. My initial goal was to play for a win, but after the first day there was no chance for the gold. So I decided to simply enjoy the game and have fun. I played better on the next two days, but it is important to play consistently throughout the tournament. Anna Muzychuk did it better than everybody else, so her win is legitimate.

– As a trainer of Alexandra Kosteniuk, you are staying in Khanty-Mansiysk for almost a month already. Do you also follow the progress of other members of the Russian national team?

– Yes, of course I do, although there aren’t many of them here, especially in the Grand Prix event. As a national team trainer, I simply have to. Other participants of these tournaments will also play for their teams at the Olympiads, World and European championships, so I try to observe all games to gather experience and use this knowledge later.

– Sasha finished 3^rd in the Grand Prix and took 2^nd in the World Rapid Championship. What can you say about her results?

– In my opinion, finishing in the top 3 in such tournaments is a success for any player. Sasha’s result is a bit higher than expected by her rating, so she even gained a few points. The same goes for the Rapid Championship. Finishing second in such a strong field, after such a marathon distance is certainly a success. In order to finish first one often needs luck, especially against the opponents of similar strength.

– You often talked to Alexandra between the games. Did you try to inspire her? Was it a quick opening fix?

– Of course I try to support her and give some advice, but I will not reveal all my secrets!

– Olga Girya also played quite successfully in these tournaments: 2^nd place in the Grand Prix, 3^rd place in the Rapid Championship… Will she be included into the national team for the coming Olympiad?

– Second place in the Grand Prix is an excellent and well-deserved result. She studies a lot, and it seems to help. Playing at home was also a factor, in my opinion. Of course, Olga’s results are noted, but all the decisions about our team are made by the head coach Sergey Rublevsky.

– How do you rate the quality of play in these tournaments?

– Everyone can occasionally play a bad game, but generally the quality was quite reasonable. Especially in the Rapid Championship – five or seven starting rounds were played at a very high level, reminding of men’s chess. Then the players got tired and started making mistakes.

– You are involved in women’s chess for quite a while. What distinguishes it from men’s chess?

– Men’s play is more stable, they are better in controlling their emotions. Chesswise watching men’s games is more interesting for me – they are deeper, more strategic, more subtle… Women’s chess is more emotional and less predictable – the situation often changes drastically a few times during one game. However, this is exactly what makes women’s chess so exciting.

Gunina v Stefanova 1-0

Gunina didn’t went to 24. Bxc5 leading to a much better endgame for her. If 24.Bxc5 was played the continuation would be 24……Bxc5 25.Bxd3 Bxf2 26. Bxf5 Bxg1 27.Kxg1. She played 24. Bf3 Rac8 25. g4 Qh7 26. f5 and won in a several moves.

Kosintseva  v Lagno 1-0

Here is another game of blunder alerts with Lagno playing 21…..Ra3? allowing 22. Qe8+ Kg7 23.Rb8 +/-

Stefanova v Gunina 0-1

White still has some chances to hold position with 25.Rxd4 but instead the game continued like this: 25. Nxd4? Bc5! 26. Nb5 Rxd1+ 27. Qxd1 Bxe3 28. fxe3 Qxe3 -/+

Ambartsumova v Charochkina 1-0

Black is doing ok in this position and should play 25…Qc7 but instead played 25…Bxc4 missing the simple tactic of 26. Bxd6 attacking the Rook on a3 and Bishop on c4: 26…Rxb3 27. Qxb3! Bxb3 28. Rxc8 Bf8 29. Bf8 

Chen v Ubiennykh 0-1

The only move here for White is 19. h4 but played Rfb1 which loses to 19……Rxh2 20. Rb7 Qh5

Khotenashvili v Lagno 0-1

Only after 9 moves a blunder was made from Khotenashvili by playing 10. Nd1? which leads to 10…Nxf3 11. Bxf3 d4 12. Bf4 e5 -/+

Kosintseva v Gunina 1-0

Kosintseva is ready to play 22. h6 in this position which Gunina should respond with 22….Bf6 but instead plays 22…gxh6 and after 23. Rh6 Nf4 24. Qe4 White got the decisive attack.

M. Muzychuk v Chen  0-1

It was an equal position but White has made the mistake 19. a3? Now Black is getting ready to play the attacking move of 19…..Nxd4! The game continued on with 20. Nxd4 Qxc5 21. Rad1 Bxg4 22. hxg4 Rxd4 23. Kh1 Rxc4 -/+

Paehtz v Lagno 1-0

The position is about equal here (for example 26…Rxb1 27. Rxb1 Rb8) until Lagno plays 26…Ne5 and gives away the game. The game continued on 27. Nxe5+ fxe5 28. Nd3 Bf6 29. Bg3 Qd6 30. Bxe5 Rxb1

Sviridova v Shaydullina 0-1

White blundered to mate in 2 with 15. Nd4?? as the game continued with 15…Qxh2 16. Kf1 Qh1#

Selected by Jamie Kenmure.

– How do you feel after two days of blitz? How did you produce such an excellent score?

– I started well yesterday, but lost on time against Antoaneta, which was very disappointing. All in all, I am satisfied with my score. Today was a nice day, but everything will be decided tomorrow.

– Are you comfortable with the time control? Did you practice with it in advance?

– I enjoy playing blitz. I often play with this time control with my trainer, and it helped here.

– Many strong players practice blitz online, and 3+2 control is quite popular there…

– I don’t play much on the net anymore. Generally I think I am stronger in blitz than in classical or rapid chess.

– How did the Rapid Championship go for you?

– Of course I am not satisfied with my result in the Rapid Championship. I could do much better. I missed many chances in good positions, but now I can only think about blitz.

– What qualities are required to succeed in blitz?

– One should calculate variations quickly, and I think having good intuition is also important.

– Some people play considerably worse on a bad day. Does your mood affect your results?

– For me everything depends on my emotions. Everything works out well when my mood is good. And if not, then things go out of control. However, I think one’s mood in more important in women’s chess. In men’s chess it is probably different.

– Tomorrow is a very important day. Are you going to prepare for it in a special way?

– Today I’ll do all I can to improve my mood for tomorrow, and if I succeed, everything should be fine.

Anna Muzychuk from Slovenia, who was convincing leader after five rounds, slowed down a bit, but still played well enough to finish the day tied on the first place with 15/20 points.

Muzychuk is joined by Nana Dzagnidze from Georgia, who first had a flying start, then a couple of shaky displays, before making another surge forward.

Two points behind the leaders are Zhao Xue (China) and Antoaneta Stefanova (Bulgaria). Full standings at http://wwrbc2014.fide.com/wp-content/uploads/results_blitz/results.html?l=en&tb=10_

Blitz games are always exciting and already in the first game of the day A.Muzychuk blundered horribly to allow checkmate to Stefanova.

In the return game Muzychuk recovered and converted the advantage. In the next round she won a beautiful game with a knight sacrifice against the defending champion Valentina Gunina.

In the next three matches, however, Muzychuk could not achieve more than 1-1 against Tatiana Kosintseva, Zhao Xue and Alexandra Kosteniuk, respectively.

Dzagnidze defeated Irina Krush, Daria Charochkina and Kateryna Lagno by 2-0, and shared the points with Gunina and Kosintseva.

The event continues tomorrow at 3pm local time with the final five rounds.

Top round eleven pairings are: Harika – Dzagnidze, Zhukova – Muzychuk A, Kosteniuk – Zhao Xue, Stefanova – Gunina and Lagno – Kosintseva.

34 female players from 13 countries are competing for the title and prize fund of $50,000.

-          Right now after the game I’m very nervous and excited. Blitz tournament is quite complicated for me to play as I have not enough experience. I loved fast chess very much when I was young but both rapid and blitz are still very interesting for me. There were times when I played blitz much better than now, so I think this competitions are better for younger players. It’s a kind of funny game for me – we can play so many interesting positions. For example, in one game I’ve “blundered” my king although I had totally winning position.

-          What about rapid chess and Grand Prix? Is it difficult to switch between different types of chess so quickly?

-          I played normal in rapid last week. It is easier than blitz as there is more time to think. It is more about quality, but of course, classic chess is my favorite! Unfortunately I had very bad result, maybe the worst result ever. “Fast switching” is absolutely okay for me as I’m a professional chess player. I have been playing chess for 20 years and this is my job, so it doesn’t make a problem to play classic, rapid and blitz one after the other!

-          Is it important to have rapid and blitz world championships every year?

-          These tournaments are very good for professional chess players, especially for women players. They are more entertaining on the one hand, and still have good prize money on the other. I think situation in women chess is still not very good in the world, so we need these tournaments to earn money and make chess more and more popular! We live in the fast world – blitz and rapid chess becomes more interesting.

-          How do you prefer to relax after the games?

-          Here I talk with my friends and sleep mostly, sometimes I watch movies. But in Beijing when I’m not playing chess I like to go swimming and yoga. Swimming and yoga are very good for the women to lose the weight and be healthy. That’s for sure!

– Antoaneta, how did you do today?

– I played terribly and scored only +1. In some games I won on a sheer luck. Perhaps tomorrow my brain will function better.

– Did you play better on the first game?

– It goes without saying! Yesterday I scored +5. Such schedule is not easy – a Grand Prix event, then 15 rapid games, and now a handful of blitz games. Tiredness definitely plays its role, although many of my competitors are in the same situation. I don’t understand why we should play so many rounds when there are just 34 players. Previously we played only 11 rounds in rapid and 10 double-rounds in blitz. However, these are the rules, we can do nothing about it. I’ll just do my best.

– And yet you are tied for the third now…

– We shall study the tournament table after the Day three.

– Are you disappointed about not finishing in the top three in the Rapid Championship?

– Of course I hoped for a medal. I was among the leaders for the entire tournament, but the last day was unlucky for me. Still, sharing the third place in not the end of the world, although I really wanted to defend my title and cannot consider the 4^th place a satisfactory result.

– How will you relax and prepare for the deciding day?

– I will sleep! (Laughs.) There are just a few games left, but the opponents are very strong. After the dinner I’ll watch some movie and try to have a good sleep.

– Thank you and good luck!