The first game of the Women’s Candidates semifinals between Anna Muzychuk and Lei Tingjie was launched by Mrs Marlene Harnois, Taekwondo Olympic medallist and representative of the Champions for Peace Club at Peace and Sport. We also saw GM Alojzije Jankovic at the broadcast for the first time, replacing GM Igor Nataf for the rest of the tournament.

It was quite a peaceful game, as Black equalized comfortably in the opening. Indeed, Anna seemed surprised by her opponent’s opening choice as it was Lei’s first time playing 1…c5 (the Sicilian Defence) in this event. Understandably, to avoid possible surprises, Anna chose a sideline against 2…e6, which led to a balanced position.

Both players handled the opening very well and afer massive exchanges it gradually transposed into a rook and knight ending, in which Black seemed to have some pressure over White’s king, but it was never sufficient to claim an advantage. Lei said in the post-mortem interview that she thought the position was holdable for White despite her king being cut off on the first rank. A draw was logically agreed on move 46.

This first game of the semifinals looks like a probing action for both players. We shall expect a big fight with three classical games to go, starting with the second game on November 2, in which Lei will have the White pieces.

Official webstie: womenscandidates.fide.com

Text: WGM Andreea Navrotescu

Photo: Michał Walusza

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