Rostov Women's Grand Prix Round 6 Press Conference

Ekaterina Kovalevskaya - Kateryna Lahno



Anastasia: how was the preparation for today's game? What was your expectations?



Kovalevskaya: I was actually expecting the move 1.e4. Move Nf3 was a small present for me. Here Katya plays very principal lines. Thanks to this move, the game was on my field. So, the position was more comfortable for me. The fact is that I have more experience to my mind. In comparison with the yesterday's sad experience, where I could not make the right moves in the equal position, today's game was developing a bit better for me. Therefore a draw was easy for me.



Lahno: As for the question why I have chosen my move Kf3, I cannot open all my secrets to you (laughing). I cannot also say that I was caught in the opening. Every day I prepare myself to fight. There are many moves to start with: Nf3, e4, c4, d4. The most important is to know what to do later on. In general I think that the game was logical today. I don't really know where I could have played better, perhaps in the opening, perhaps later. When we had a position with the opponent's Queen on H3, it became unclear. My bishop was good, but my king was a bit weak, there were constant threats. I could not find anything to improve my position. So, a draw is logical result.



Hou Yifan - Elina Danielian



The World Champion Hou Yifan playing White won the game.



Anastasia: Did you expect today that you were going to play this variation with f3?



Elina: Yes, I did.



Anastasia: What about the preparation? Did everything happen as you expected it to or not?



Elina: Of course not. But okey, I think I got a normal position after the opening. Maybe somewhere I should have played better, maybe not bishop g6, maybe rook f8 right away. Ok, it was an interesting position with a lot of interesting ideas for white and black. To my opinion, the critical moment was before castling, because I could play b5 in order to avoid knight c4. Also there was another possibility to play queen c7 right away in order to meet knight c4 with a queen's castling. It was also interesting, but I do not know if I had chosen the best line. I have many doubts about that.



Anastasia: What about you, Yifan? What about your preparation and were you satisfied with the opening?



Yifan: Actually I did not prepare a lot, after f3 I just thought that this position was very complicated, there were many choices. Queen's castling is a very interesting idea, actually I missed this opportunity for Black during the game. I think after I took on f6 she got a doubled pawns and I had f5 square, this position was already better for me. It was comfortable to play it and I did not see a real defense for my opponent.



Stefanova Antoanetta - Kosintseva Nadezhda



Anastasia: the game Stefanova - Kosintseva Nadezhda was finished in a draw. Antoanetta, you prepared such an interesting novelty for the chess fans: this nice flower bandlet. Did this make up your mood before the game today?



Antoanetta: well, if you don't play something interesting, at least you should wear something interesting (laughing). As for the game, what can I say. I missed Bishop b6 in the opening. After this the position became equal. Ok, maybe I did not play the best moves, but at least we got the equal position.



Anastasia: Nadezhda, what do you think? Was the position equal or there were some chances?



Nadezhda: yes, when we finished the opening, the position was equal. In the endgame I think White had more pleasant situation. My avanture with the Ra3, when I let myself go, brought me to some dangerous position, to my mind. I don't know, I have to check with computer of course. There could have been some tricks, but still I think the position was slightly better for White. This rook on a3 was frightening me. In the endgame the position became equal and it was not so dangerous. But still I did not like to play it in the time trouble.



Humpy Koneru - Anna Muzychuk



Anastasia: the game Koneru-Muzychuk has come to its end. Which expectations did you have today before the game. Did you prepare for something special?



Humpy: I played a lot of games with White against Anna Muzychuk. In most of them we played Dutch defence. This time I tried to start a different set up in comparison to my previous games.



Perhaps after the opening, I think my move e4 was a bit early. I even doubt that my move Qc2 was correct. Probably I should move my rook first. Later when my opponent made a move 15…Nc5 and 16…a4 Black had very good tactical chances in the position. At one point I tried to lock the position, keeping in mind that the e4 pawn of my opponent is weak but I don’t have a proper piece to attack the pawn. I the end the position was closed, so she could have taken on f4 by rook as well and still it would finish with the same result.



Anna: Yes, Dutch is probably my main line against d4. I play it quite often. Recently I have had many games with this B3 plan. I prepared it a little bit. I agree with Humpy that plan with e4 was a little bit early. I think Bc3 is a good move with idea to wait some time. In one moment I got some counter play and my knight was on B3 and I managed to play e5. So, I think I did not have problems after that. Probably I played Qf5 too early, because after that after f4 it became complicated. The position became suddenly worse for me but still I managed to make a draw.



Anastasia: were you satisfied with the opening and with the result in general.



Anna: I am used to get this slightly worse position after this opening (lauphing). The result seems ok for me although I did not have any chance to win today.



Alisa Galliamova - Alexandra Kosteniuk



Anastasia: The game Galliamova - Kosteniuk is drawn. Alexandra, tell me please were you afraid in the opening and did not it seem to you that everything could be over rather fast?



Alexandra: It seemed that I was afraid, but it was too late to fear anything. I played horribly in the opening and maybe I could have resigned by move 10. Of course, White had many opportunities - there was a possibility to play Nf3 instead of d7, then rook e1, e6 just develop her pieces and even if I took this piece on c3, it would not help me. After d7 at least I had some chances, maybe my position could be better at some moment. I played Qa3 with an idea to exchange queens, but in that position there was another good move Nb5.



Anastasia: Alisa Mikhailovna, did you miss the move Rh7 after the move d7?



Alisa: It seemed to me that the position was absolutely winning, therefore I did not even expect that there would be any resistance. I played this line for the first time, most probably, Sasha did not expect it, and moreover, I completely forgot the line after knight e4 and taking into consideration that I did not remember anything, I decided to play creatively. Everything went well during the opening.



Anastasia: Yesterday you promised not to sacrifice any more pawns and still...



Alisa: What can I do, you have to give up anything starting from the first game (laughing)



Anastasia: However you managed to somehow concentrate when it was clear that the position was not that easy to be won...Did you manage to get used to the new situation?



Alisa: Of course I could not get used to such a drastic change of the situation - it was terrible. Certainly, it was my fault that I lost control and my position was worse, thus it is very hard to adapt when you already consider one point after the 10th move. But at one moment I managed to concentrate mainly thanks to my opponent. I think after queen’s exchange I should have played at least Ne6 trying to enter the position with opposite colour bishops.



Ruan Lufei - Tatyana Kosintseva



Anastasia: the game Ruan Lufei - Tatyana Kosintseva has been finished. Kosintseva. Share with us your opinion on your game. Ruan, I had a feeling that you wanted to sharpen the position today.



Ruan: I thought I had better position and I wanted to sharpen it. But I did not see the move f5. After this move, there was no attack and I was left with a weak pawn. Maybe I should try Rae1. Anyway, I should not give her an opportunity to play f5. Maybe the position would be better. At one point I played g4, without playing this move, I would definitely lose right away. So, I should do something but any way I think its losing position.



Tatyana: today I was playing Sheveningen variant. To my mind Ruan was playing very quickly today and not precisely. She let her pieces to consolidate. In particular she did not place her Bishop f8 and Knight d7. Different ideas came to our minds in respect of the move e5. As a result, Ruan made this move later. Later on my opponent had to play Nе5, Qd6. Here Black stands better to my mind, there is an initiative. I think the mistake was to move Ne4. After the move on f5, Black had a convincing advantage thanks to weak white separated pawns. White had to hold some measures, like G4. But the position is still weak due to the open king, there were a lot of weak points. In the endgame there was no chances to save the situation. Though I still had to make precise moves.



Official website: http://rostov2011.fide.com

Women's GP Press Conference

Alexandra Kosteniuk - Hou Yifan

Alexandra: I did not like my position, so, probably, I just mixed up some lines because I played this line for the first time and it looked dangerous. It is not only the question of space, but about a very easy plan that Black had, they just wanted to checkmate White and their position was strategically better. Black had some direct threats but maybe White could hold the position, I am not sure about that, but anyway it is quite difficult to do during the practical game.

Anastasia: What do you think, Yifan? Were you satisfied with the opening?

Yifan: In the opening my opponent plays d4 not very often and it is not my preparation for today. I just played the line which I choose usually. I think that opening was very complicated. I think that maybe sometimes she can play f3 if it’s possible and then her position will be much safer. Maybe after I changed the knight on e4 and played g4 - this position is better for me, but before these moves I am not sure about that.

Alisa Galliamova - Antoanetta Stefanova

Anastasia: The game Galliamova vs Stefanova has come to its end, white has won. Can you tell me if you are satisfied the way the opening went on.

Alisa: Till the last moment I did not know which variation to play in the opening. Suddenly it came to me in a flash that Antoanetta would play this variation: she will make dc whereas usually she plays kd7. I was telling to my coach to check this variation dc, b5. He started checking in the computer but there was few time left before the start of the round. In the variant which Antoanetta played my coach said that I may sacrifice all pawns of the Queen's line for there is an initiative. But I did not have time to ask how to play after that. I sacrificed a lot and went to this position. I was thinking about each move: to sacrifice or defense. Antoanetta would not stop and continued taking everything. I did not have any other way but to go for this variation.

Anastasia: at what point your theoretical knowledge ended?

Alisa: after g3 they were over, but I was sure about my position. At the same time I did not have enough material and simply I was afraid...

Аntoaneta: well, I felt it was dangerous to take all these pawns, but somehow I could not stop myself. I don’t know what is the real assessment of the position. Of course, White had compensation but if Black can hold it or not – only computers are able to estimate. The truth is that it is difficult to play this position. I spent too much time and for the critical moments I had no time left, therefore it was very easy to make a mistake.

Anastasia: What do you think when was the last mistake?

Antoaneta: I don’t know, c5 probably. The problem is that I saw this variation before, that’s why I played Qd3. I saw this line with bishop b7 and queen f3 whatever, but somehow after Rd1 it was not easy to find the move without time.

Kateryna Lahno – Anna Muzychuk

Anastasia: Tell me please how was the game developing and where were your preparations over? We had a feeling that White were ready to fight seriously.

Anna: I played the Scotch Defense with knight b3, it was not the main one but many grandmasters apply it. Further one everything was going according to the theory, the only thing is that I did not know Katya’s plan with Bе3, а6, b5. I still think that it was not the best, she should have played Bе6 and then tried to play Nе5, because in fact what we got as a result passed over to the Philidor structure where White had space and it was easier for them to organize the attack.

Аnastasia: Where do you think Katya made a mistake?

Anna: If we do not take the opening into account, I think that she made a mistake by playing rook е8. It seemed to me that Nе5 was more active.

Аnastasia: Katya, what do you think at what moment you made a mistake and whether you were ready for the variation with Nb3, it was rare indeed and is not played very often.

Kateryna: Certainly I remembered this variation and as far as I am aware, Black can equalize the position and it seems that White have nothing and nevertheless the position of Black is a little passive. So, I decided to play a6, b5 and maybe that was not correct already and then at one moment I decided that on bishop b5 I will play а4 and I think it was not possible there. The thing is that White can play Bс6, capture my rook on а8 and make a move Qа7 that I completely forgot about. At that moment the position was lost. In fact the game was finished after the 15th move.

Anastasia: You come from the same region and since you were small you always played in the Ukrainian, European and World Championships…does this fact influence on your present games at the chess board? Was it difficult for you psychologically to play this game today?

Anna: Indeed starting from the very first game when we were 6 years old we played many games with Katya. We had to play only for the first places in the Ukrainian Championships to qualify to the World Championships and it only made the pressure more intense. The result of approximately last 10 games that we played together was a draw, therefore we got used to it already (laughing). We always got along very well with Katya, we do play as opponents at the chess board however it does not influence our relations.

Kateryna: The question is rather unexpected. I have never given a thought to it and I try to think only about chess at every game, because if I start thinking about anything else, it will be too much.

Elina Danielian – Ekaterina Kovalevskaya

Anastasia: Will you please speak on the game development in which, as it seemed, there was a dynamic equality. I had a feeling that Black equaled …

Ekaterina: Exactly and as usual, unfortunately, I did not have much time left and at the end I made a mistake.

Anastasia: Were you satisfied with the opening development?

Ekaterina: Yes, of course.

Elina: In any case I also liked my position, it was not risky, so I think that it is more pleasant to face such positions playing White. I believe that even if one does not play bishop f5 and just making moves instead, still it is not easy to play Black, because White’s play was more active and clear. Moreover, Katya was in time-trouble …

Anastasia: Tell me please, it should be hard to play against friends or you do not pay attention to it?

Elina: Frankly speaking, this is the case for me and it has always been.

Ekaterina: I am sorry but this is not my case. I played against my best friend with whom I lived for months at the World Championship. That is why psychologically it is not that difficult for me since I am used to it. We had a very serious fight and each of us wanted to win, so your attitude is more philosophic here.

Elina: Yes, of course, you do get used to it, but still it is hard to play against friends.

Anastasia: Thank you for your comments.

Humpy Koneru – Ruan Lufei

Anastasia: It looked like you were trying to avoid some theoretical lines in the opening, weren’t you?

Humpy: yes I just wanted to play something new which I didn’t play before so I played a bit different way in the opening but position became very normal. I think I had slightly better position but in one point instead of b6 Black Bc6 b4 rd8 and if white play b5 black has Be4. I think it was a good opportunity for Black to equalise the game because after that I had better position till the end.

Lufei: I think everything was ok in the opening. I think it was too early to break through the center. I think I had more chances to hold the position. I belive it became lost completely when I played 29…f6 and gave a pawn.

Official website: http://rostov2011.fide.com

Women's GP Press Conference

Alexandra Kosteniuk - Hou Yifan

Alexandra: I did not like my position, so, probably, I just mixed up some lines because I played this line for the first time and it looked dangerous. It is not only the question of space, but about a very easy plan that Black had, they just wanted to checkmate White and their position was strategically better. Black had some direct threats but maybe White could hold the position, I am not sure about that, but anyway it is quite difficult to do during the practical game.

Anastasia: What do you think, Yifan? Were you satisfied with the opening?

Yifan: In the opening my opponent plays d4 not very often and it is not my preparation for today. I just played the line which I choose usually. I think that opening was very complicated. I think that maybe sometimes she can play f3 if it’s possible and then her position will be much safer. Maybe after I changed the knight on e4 and played g4 - this position is better for me, but before these moves I am not sure about that.

Alisa Galliamova - Antoanetta Stefanova

Anastasia: The game Galliamova vs Stefanova has come to its end, white has won. Can you tell me if you are satisfied the way the opening went on.

Alisa: Till the last moment I did not know which variation to play in the opening. Suddenly it came to me in a flash that Antoanetta would play this variation: she will make dc whereas usually she plays kd7. I was telling to my coach to check this variation dc, b5. He started checking in the computer but there was few time left before the start of the round. In the variant which Antoanetta played my coach said that I may sacrifice all pawns of the Queen's line for there is an initiative. But I did not have time to ask how to play after that. I sacrificed a lot and went to this position. I was thinking about each move: to sacrifice or defense. Antoanetta would not stop and continued taking everything. I did not have any other way but to go for this variation.

Anastasia: at what point your theoretical knowledge ended?

Alisa: after g3 they were over, but I was sure about my position. At the same time I did not have enough material and simply I was afraid...

Аntoaneta: well, I felt it was dangerous to take all these pawns, but somehow I could not stop myself. I don’t know what is the real assessment of the position. Of course, White had compensation but if Black can hold it or not – only computers are able to estimate. The truth is that it is difficult to play this position. I spent too much time and for the critical moments I had no time left, therefore it was very easy to make a mistake.

Anastasia: What do you think when was the last mistake?

Antoaneta: I don’t know, c5 probably. The problem is that I saw this variation before, that’s why I played Qd3. I saw this line with bishop b7 and queen f3 whatever, but somehow after Rd1 it was not easy to find the move without time.

Kateryna Lahno – Anna Muzychuk

Anastasia: Tell me please how was the game developing and where were your preparations over? We had a feeling that White were ready to fight seriously.

Anna: I played the Scotch Defense with knight b3, it was not the main one but many grandmasters apply it. Further one everything was going according to the theory, the only thing is that I did not know Katya’s plan with Bе3, а6, b5. I still think that it was not the best, she should have played Bе6 and then tried to play Nе5, because in fact what we got as a result passed over to the Philidor structure where White had space and it was easier for them to organize the attack.

Аnastasia: Where do you think Katya made a mistake?

Anna: If we do not take the opening into account, I think that she made a mistake by playing rook е8. It seemed to me that Nе5 was more active.

Аnastasia: Katya, what do you think at what moment you made a mistake and whether you were ready for the variation with Nb3, it was rare indeed and is not played very often.

Kateryna: Certainly I remembered this variation and as far as I am aware, Black can equalize the position and it seems that White have nothing and nevertheless the position of Black is a little passive. So, I decided to play a6, b5 and maybe that was not correct already and then at one moment I decided that on bishop b5 I will play а4 and I think it was not possible there. The thing is that White can play Bс6, capture my rook on а8 and make a move Qа7 that I completely forgot about. At that moment the position was lost. In fact the game was finished after the 15th move.

Anastasia: You come from the same region and since you were small you always played in the Ukrainian, European and World Championships…does this fact influence on your present games at the chess board? Was it difficult for you psychologically to play this game today?

Anna: Indeed starting from the very first game when we were 6 years old we played many games with Katya. We had to play only for the first places in the Ukrainian Championships to qualify to the World Championships and it only made the pressure more intense. The result of approximately last 10 games that we played together was a draw, therefore we got used to it already (laughing). We always got along very well with Katya, we do play as opponents at the chess board however it does not influence our relations.

Kateryna: The question is rather unexpected. I have never given a thought to it and I try to think only about chess at every game, because if I start thinking about anything else, it will be too much.

Elina Danielian – Ekaterina Kovalevskaya

Anastasia: Will you please speak on the game development in which, as it seemed, there was a dynamic equality. I had a feeling that Black equaled …

Ekaterina: Exactly and as usual, unfortunately, I did not have much time left and at the end I made a mistake.

Anastasia: Were you satisfied with the opening development?

Ekaterina: Yes, of course.

Elina: In any case I also liked my position, it was not risky, so I think that it is more pleasant to face such positions playing White. I believe that even if one does not play bishop f5 and just making moves instead, still it is not easy to play Black, because White’s play was more active and clear. Moreover, Katya was in time-trouble …

Anastasia: Tell me please, it should be hard to play against friends or you do not pay attention to it?

Elina: Frankly speaking, this is the case for me and it has always been.

Ekaterina: I am sorry but this is not my case. I played against my best friend with whom I lived for months at the World Championship. That is why psychologically it is not that difficult for me since I am used to it. We had a very serious fight and each of us wanted to win, so your attitude is more philosophic here.

Elina: Yes, of course, you do get used to it, but still it is hard to play against friends.

Anastasia: Thank you for your comments.

Humpy Koneru – Ruan Lufei

Anastasia: It looked like you were trying to avoid some theoretical lines in the opening, weren’t you?

Humpy: yes I just wanted to play something new which I didn’t play before so I played a bit different way in the opening but position became very normal. I think I had slightly better position but in one point instead of b6 Black Bc6 b4 rd8 and if white play b5 black has Be4. I think it was a good opportunity for Black to equalise the game because after that I had better position till the end.

Lufei: I think everything was ok in the opening. I think it was too early to break through the center. I think I had more chances to hold the position. I belive it became lost completely when I played 29…f6 and gave a pawn.

Official website: http://rostov2011.fide.com