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Hou Yifan Leads Rostov Grand Prix

Hou Yifan Leads Rostov Grand Prix

SonofPearl
| 15 | Chess Event Coverage

Hou Yifan defied her recent poor performances with a perfect start to the first Grand Prix of the 2011/12 series, in Rostov, Russia.

The 17 year-old Women's World Chess Champion won her first three games to establish a full point lead in this 12-player single round robin competition.

The winner of the Grand Prix series will challenge the champion in 2013.  Who that champion is, depends on the result of the 10-game title match between Hou Yifan and Humpy Koneru due from 10 Nov-5 Dec this year.

Humpy Koneru is challenging for the title after dramatically winning the previous Grand Prix series at the last tournament.

Hou Yifan (left) and Humpy Koneru draw lots at the opening ceremony in Rostov

Hou Yifan and Humpy Koneru.JPG

 

The standings after three rounds in Rostov:

 Hou, Yifan  CHN 2575 3
 Muzychuk, Anna  SLO 2538 2
 Kosintseva, Nadezhda  RUS 2560 2
 Kosintseva, Tatiana  RUS 2557
 Koneru, Humpy  IND 2614
 Ruan, Lufei  CHN 2479
 Lahno, Kateryna  UKR 2536
 Danielian, Elina  ARM 2521
 Kosteniuk, Alexandra  RUS 2497 1
 Stefanova, Antoaneta  BUL 2524 1
 Galliamova, Alisa  RUS 2492 1
 Kovalevskaya, Ekaterina  RUS 2427 ½

 

Humpy Koneru and Hou Yifan clashed in the first round

Humpy Koneru_Hou Yifan_Rd1.JPG

 

 

 

Hou Yifan beat former champion Alexandra Kosteniuk in round three

Yifan_Kosteniuk_Rd3.jpg

 

 

The other matches scheduled in the 2011/12 Grand Prix series are:

 September 2011, Shenzhen CHINA
October 2011, Nalchik RUSSIA
April 2012, Istanbul TURKEY
June 2012, Jermuk ARMENIA
September 2012, Kazan RUSSIA

The full regulations for the 2011/12 Grand Prix can be found here.

 

Pictures from the official website.

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