Shymkent GP R1: Divya Deshmukh makes a solid start against Koneru Humpy

by Shahid Ahmed - 31/10/2024

The first round of FIDE Shymkent GP witnessed three decisive games. In a battle between India no.2 and India no.1 woman, IM Divya Deshmukh had a well contested draw against GM Koneru Humpy. The 45th Olympiad Gold medalist opted for the Scotch Game and kept looking for ways to create chances. However, the legend ensured that she did not make any mistake and the game eventually ended in a draw. GM Kateryna Lagno missed a win against GM Aleksandra Goryachkina. GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN), IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE) and IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) won their respective games. Divya will face Lagno and Humpy will be up against Zhongyi in Round 2 which starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Konstantin Chalabov

Three decisive games

FIDE Shymkent GP had an exciting start as three out of five games had decisive results. GM Elisabeth Paehtz (GER) and IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul (MGL) faltered in the endgame. The Germany no.1 woman needed to navigate better with her rooks against her opponents bishop pair and knight. The Mongolian did not prevent her opponent's rook from invading in a rook and opposite color bishop endgame. IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL) could not recover after losing a pawn on the queenside against IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ).

IM Divya Deshmukh held GM Koneru Humpy to a well contested draw | Photo: FIDE / Konstantin Chalabov

Divya - Humpy: 0.5-0.5

This was the first Classical encounter between IM Divya Deshmukh (2501) and GM Koneru Humpy (2530). Last year, they played one rapid and two blitz rated games at Tata Steel India. Divya won the Rapid battle, Humpy won both Blitz games. The India no.2 woman, opted for Scotch Game with the white pieces. She kept finding ways to create chances for herself. However, the legend ensured she doesn't falter and the game eventually ended in a draw.

IM Divya Deshmukh made a good start | Photo: FIDE/Konstantin Chalabov

Lagno - Goryachkina

Position after 30...Rag5

White needed to capture the pawn 31.Qxd6 Rxg2 32.Qd8+ Kh7 33.Bxg2 Rxg2 34.Nf3 Rxe2 35.Rxe7. Instead, the game continued 31.Qh4+ Rh6 32.Rxe7 Rxh4 33.Rxg7 Bxg2+ 34.Bxg2 Rxg7 the game ended in a draw after few moves.

GM Kateryna Lagno missed a win against GM Aleksandra Goryachkina | Photo: FIDE/Konstantin Chalabov

Zhongyi - Paehtz: 1-0

GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) defeated GM Elisabeth Paehtz (GER) after a 107-move long battle. The Women's World Championship Challenger showed correct technique to deliver checkmate with bishop and knight. The game ended few moves before the actual checkmate.

GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) - GM Elisabeth Paehtz (GER): 1-0 | Photo: FIDE/Konstantin Chalabov

IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul (MGL) - IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE): 0-1 | Photo: FIDE/Konstantin Chalabov

"Every round is against a strong opponent" - Stavroula Tsolakidou | Video: FIDE

IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL) - IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ): 1-0 | Photo: FIDE/Konstantin Chalabov

"It's my first win with black, maybe in the last 3-4 tournaments" - Bibisara Assaubayeva | Video: FIDE

Chief Arbiter - IA Swapnil Bansod | Photo: FIDE/Konstantin Chalabov

Deputy Chief Arbiter - WGM IA Illaha Gadimova | Photo: FIDE/Konstantin Chalabov

Replay live stream

Replay Shymkent GP Round 1 live commentary by GM Evgenij Miroshnichenko (UKR) and IM Irene Sukandar (INA) | Video: FIDE

Replay Round 1 games

Prizes

Total prize fund is €80000. The top three prizes are €18000, €13000 and €10500 each. The top three GP points are - 130, 105 and 85. For more details, check out the regulations below.

Schedule

Round 1 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. The tournament will go on till 8th November 2024. Sole rest day is on Monday 4th November.

Round 1 results

Bo.	No.	FED	Rtg		White	Result		Black	FED	Rtg	No.
1	1	FID	2527	GM	Lagno, Kateryna	½ - ½	GM	Goryachkina, Aleksandra	FID	2533	10
2	2	IND	2501	IM	Divya, Deshmukh	½ - ½	GM	Koneru, Humpy	IND	2530	9
3	3	CHN	2551	GM	Tan, Zhongyi	1 - 0	GM	Paehtz, Elisabeth	GER	2458	8
4	4	MGL	2344	IM	Munguntuul, Batkhuyag	0 - 1	IM	Tsolakidou, Stavroula	GRE	2439	7
5	5	BUL	2405	IM	Salimova, Nurgyul	0 - 1	IM	Assaubayeva, Bibisara	KAZ	2487	6

Details

Standings after Round 1

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3
1	6	IM	Assaubayeva, Bibisara	KAZ	2487	1	1	0,00	1
	7	IM	Tsolakidou, Stavroula	GRE	2439	1	1	0,00	1
3	3	GM	Tan, Zhongyi	CHN	2551	1	0	0,00	1
4	9	GM	Koneru, Humpy	IND	2530	0,5	1	0,25	0
	10	GM	Goryachkina, Aleksandra	FID	2533	0,5	1	0,25	0
6	1	GM	Lagno, Kateryna	FID	2527	0,5	0	0,25	0
	2	IM	Divya, Deshmukh	IND	2501	0,5	0	0,25	0
8	8	GM	Paehtz, Elisabeth	GER	2458	0	1	0,00	0
9	4	IM	Munguntuul, Batkhuyag	MGL	2344	0	0	0,00	0
	5	IM	Salimova, Nurgyul	BUL	2405	0	0	0,00	0

Details

Round 2 pairings

Bo.	No.	FED	Rtg		White	Result		Black	FED	Rtg	No.
1	10	FID	2533	GM	Goryachkina, Aleksandra		IM	Assaubayeva, Bibisara	KAZ	2487	6
2	7	GRE	2439	IM	Tsolakidou, Stavroula		IM	Salimova, Nurgyul	BUL	2405	5
3	8	GER	2458	GM	Paehtz, Elisabeth		IM	Munguntuul, Batkhuyag	MGL	2344	4
4	9	IND	2530	GM	Koneru, Humpy		GM	Tan, Zhongyi	CHN	2551	3
5	1	FID	2527	GM	Lagno, Kateryna		IM	Divya, Deshmukh	IND	2501	2