WWC2011-4: Hou still at +1

Koneru Humpy (right) on the move against Hou Yifan.
Photo by Anastasiya Karlovich for FIDE.

After breaking out on top with a win yesterday, Hou Yifan had the white pieces against her Asian rival, Koneru Humpy. Looking to put a comfortable distance between them, Hou started the game with 1.e4 and perhaps expected another Petroff.

Humpy switched from the to the Open Variation of the Ruy Lopez involving a common pawn sacrifice for a lead in development. In fact, this game was following the Smirin-Kaidanov encounter in 2004 which was drawn in 19 moves.

However, Hou-Koneru would rewrite this analysis with a longer debate. Ater 19…Nd3 the game took on an interesting character. White had a bit better structure, but black had a stronger knight and bishop. In a few moves, however, white unraveled her position. After spurning a draw, Hou won a pawn, but in the end was unable to make any use of the h-pawn.

Koneru Humpy checking the engine analysis at press conference with Anastasiya Karlovich. Photo by Anastasiya Karlovich for FIDE.

2011 Women’s World Chess Championship November 14th-27th, 2011 (Triana, Albania)
	Flag	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Pts.
Hou		½	½	1	½	½	1	1	½			5½
Koneru		½	½	0	½	½	0	0	½			2½

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