Muzychuk Defeats Humpy In Vital Clash
Anna Muzychuk and Humpy Koneru are fighting for victory in the Ankara Grand Prix, and also for the top spot in the final Grand Prix standings (behind Hou Yifan).
In round nine of the Ankara Grand Prix Anna Muzychuk scored a vital win against Humpy Koneru with the black pieces to overtake her at the top of the standings.
There were three other decisive results in round 9, with victories for Xhao Xue against Monika Socko, Anoaneta Stefanova against Kubra Ozturk, and Betul Yildiz against Tatiana Kosintseva.
Humpy Koneru must win the Ankara Grand Prix to finish above Anna Muzychuk in the overall Grand Prix standings and claim the right to be the challenger for the women's world championship in 2013.
Although Muzychuk now leads with two rounds remaining, she finishes with white against Viktorija Cmilyte and black against Ruan Lufei, while Humpy Koneru faces back-markers Kubra Ozturk with black and Monika Socko with white. So, still all to play for!
The standings after 9 of 11 rounds
| Name | Fed | Elo | Pts |
| Muzychuk, Anna | SLO | 2606 | 7 |
| Koneru, Humpy | IND | 2593 | 6½ |
| Zhao, Xue | CHN | 2549 | 6 |
| Ruan, Lufei | CHN | 2492 | 5½ |
| Cmilyte, Viktorija | LTU | 2520 | 5 |
| Ju, Wenjun | CHN | 2528 | 5 |
| Munguntuul, Batkhuyag | MGL | 2434 | 4½ |
| Kosintseva, Tatiana | RUS | 2524 | 4 |
| Yildiz, Betul Cemre | TUR | 2341 | 3½ |
| Stefanova, Antoaneta | BUL | 2502 | 3 |
| Ozturk, Kubra | TUR | 2294 | 2 |
| Socko, Monika | POL | 2463 | 2 |
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Humpy Koneru makes her first move against Anna Muzychuk
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Zhao Xue and Monicka Socko
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Antoaneta Stefanova and Kubra Ozturk
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Tatiana Kosintseva
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Ruan Lufei and Ju Wenjun
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Batkhuyag Munguntuul
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Anna Muzchuk and Zhao Xue during yesterday's rest day
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The final round of the Ankara Grand Prix is on 28 September. Rounds start at 15:00 local time (12:00 UTC), except the final round which stars at 10:00. Live games broadcast here.
Photos from the official website. Games via TWIC.
