Two-point lead for Hou Yifan in Rostov

Hou Yifan is well on her way to win the first Women Grand Prix tournament in the 2011-2012 series. In Rostov, Russia the Chinese GM has a two-point lead, with three rounds to play. Hou Yifan and Tatiana Kosintseva at the round 8 press conference | Photo © FIDE

General info

The FIDE Women Grand Prix takes place August 2-14 in Rostov, Russia. It's the first of six tournaments in the Women's GP Series 2011-2012. The prize fund for each event is 40,000 Euro with a first prize of 6,500 Euro. The overall winner of the Women's Grand Prix will win a further 15,000 Euros at the end of the series. Players can only offer draws through the chief arbiter in special cases and the "zero tolerance" rule is also in effect, which requirer chess players to be seated at their boards when the games are scheduled to start. More info here.

Rounds 5-8

After her superb 4/4 start, Hou Yifan continued strongly. In the rounds 5-8 she drew with both Kosintseva sisters and beat Danielian and Kovalevskaya to reach a score of 7/8. The gap with the rest of the field is already two points; Tatiana Kosintseva is on 5/7. The tournament leader faces Lahno with Black on Friday, Ruan Lufei also with Black on Saturday and then Stefanova with White on Sunday.



Tatiana Kosintseva is the only other player who is still undefeated. The youngest of the two sisters is in sole second place, with a decent 5/7 score.

Games rounds 5-8

Game viewer by ChessTempo

FIDE Women's GP Rostov | Round 8 standings

Photos © FIDE, by Anastasiya Karlovich and Kema Goryaeva

Links

• Official website
• Games in PGN via TWIC