Tata Steel India 2022 Women Blitz R1-9: Mariya scores a staggering 8/9 with a performance of 2719
The 15th Women's World Champion in history, GM Mariya Muzychuk made a blazing start at Tata Steel Chess India 2022 Women Blitz. The 44th Olympiad Gold medalist scored an unbeaten 8/9 to gain sole lead and stay a full point ahead of the competition. IM Vaishali R is at sole second position with a score of 7/9. They are followed by former World Women's Blitz champion, GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) and 44th Olympiad Bronze medalist, GM Harika Dronavalli. All ten players will play another round of Blitz games against each other, starting from 11 a.m. IST tomorrow. Who do you think will the first-ever Tata Steel Chess India 2022 Women Blitz? Photo: Lennart Ootes
Vaishali in pursuit
IM Vaishali R chained four consecutive victories between round 6 and 9 to stay in the hunt for a first place finish. Her only loss was against GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) who earned her first win in Kolkata and then went on to have a three more game winning streak, before drawing with GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) and losing to IM Bhakti Kulkarni. GM Harika Dronalli is also at the same score 5/9.
Round 1: Anna Muzychuk - Humpy: 0-1
GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 2460) had an extremely exciting game against GM Koneru Humpy (2474) in Petroff's Defence.
It was certainly not easy to find the precise continuation 12.Qe4+ Kg8 13.Nd5. The position is still unclear. Black's h8-rook being blocked by the king is the compensation for White's lost rook.
Round 2: Dzagnidze - Vaishali: 0-1
After missing a hanging piece in the first round against GM Harika Dronavalli (2407), IM Vaishali R (2361) seized her opportunity to capture her opponent GM Nana Dzagnidze's (GEO, 2416) knight using an absolute pin tactic.
Round 3: Savitha - Anna Muzychuk: 1-0
WIM Savitha Shri B (2311) scored a hat-trick and became the sole leader after round 3. She scored a huge win over GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 2460).
Round 4: Humpy - Harika: 0-1
The rare battle between India no.1 and no.2, GM Humpy and GM Harika ended in favor of the latter as the former ran out of time as soon as she pressed the clock. Her last move gave his opponent a substantial advantage anyway.
Round 7: Oliwia - Savitha: 0-1
WIM Savitha Shri B (2311) showed her tactical alertness against IM Oliwia Kiolbasa (POL, 2279).
Vaishali - Humpy: 1-0
IM Vaishali R (2361) defeated GM Koneru Humpy (2474) to move her score to 5/7.
Round 9: Ushenina - Vaishali: 0-1
Just like GM Anna Muzychuk, IM Vaishali R registered her fourth consecutive victory of the event against the Tata Steel Chess India 2022 Women Rapid winner, GM Anna Ushenina (UKR, 2395).
Replay Round 1-9 games
Round 9 results
| Bo. | No. | Rtg | Name | Result | Name | Rtg | No. | |||||
| 1 | 5 | 2279 | IM | Kiolbasa Oliwia | 0 - 1 | GM | Koneru Humpy | 2474 | 10 | |||
| 2 | 6 | 2395 | GM | Ushenina Anna | 0 - 1 | IM | Vaishali Rameshbabu | 2361 | 4 | |||
| 3 | 7 | 2407 | GM | Harika Dronavalli | 1 - 0 | WIM | Savitha Shri B | 2311 | 3 | |||
| 4 | 8 | 2416 | GM | Dzagnidze Nana | 0 - 1 | GM | Muzychuk Mariya | 2427 | 2 | |||
| 5 | 9 | 2209 | IM | Kulkarni Bhakti | 1 - 0 | GM | Muzychuk Anna | 2460 | 1 |
Standings after Round 9
| Rk. | SNo | Name | Rtg | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | TB3 | TB4 | ||
| 1 | 2 | GM | Muzychuk Mariya | 2427 | 8 | 0 | 31,00 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2 | 4 | IM | Vaishali Rameshbabu | 2361 | 7 | 0 | 26,50 | 6 | 3 | |
| 3 | 1 | GM | Muzychuk Anna | 2460 | 5 | 1 | 24,00 | 4 | 2 | |
| 4 | 7 | GM | Harika Dronavalli | 2407 | 5 | 0 | 19,00 | 3 | 2 | |
| 5 | 10 | GM | Koneru Humpy | 2474 | 4,5 | 0 | 16,25 | 3 | 3 | |
| 6 | 6 | GM | Ushenina Anna | 2395 | 4 | 1 | 13,50 | 2 | 2 | |
| 7 | 3 | WIM | Savitha Shri B | 2311 | 4 | 0 | 12,50 | 4 | 2 | |
| 8 | 5 | IM | Kiolbasa Oliwia | 2279 | 3 | 0 | 9,00 | 2 | 1 | |
| 9 | 9 | IM | Kulkarni Bhakti | 2209 | 2,5 | 0 | 10,25 | 1 | 0 | |
| 10 | 8 | GM | Dzagnidze Nana | 2416 | 2 | 0 | 8,50 | 0 | 0 |
