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A knock-out with shortened time controls will always have some random results - Natalia Pogonina plays Mariya Muzychuk in the finals of the Women's World Championship. Both players deserve to be there simply because they displayed the best nerves under pressure. But neither was anywhere near favourite to even make a semi-final slot.
Pogonina has been the "comeback girl", winning thrice from behind. She beat Pia Cramling in the semis, Zhao Xue in the quarters and Marie Sebag in the round of 16. The younger Muzychuk sister knocked out both Indian hopefuls.
Muzychuk beat Humpy Koneru in the quarter finals in a match marred by nerves. Koneru made an awful error in Game 1 (normal time control) and Mzuychuk exploited that brilliantly. Game 2 saw Koneru hit back. Koneru was better in Game 1 of the tiebreaks. But that was drawn. Muzychuk played well in Game 2 to take the tie breaker.
Harika Dronavalli and Muzychuk drew both games in the normal control and exchanged wins in the first two tiebreakers. In Game 3, Dronavalli had a totally won queen ending with two extra pawns. But she blew up and allowed a draw with inappropriate exchanges. In Game 4, Muzychuk took charge and dominated from the start. Again, both displayed nerves, but Muzychuk had more mental strength.
The popular Aeroflot Open is back after a two-year hiatus. The Moscow event is, as always, well attended by super GMs. After Round 6, the lead is shared by Daniil Dubov and Ian Nepomniachtchi (5 each). Baskaran Adhiban is in 3rd-4th place with Ivan Bukavshin (4.5 each). Top seed Shakhriyar Mamedyarov is only at 50 per cent and several other 2700-players are languishing behind the leaders.
The US Championships has also started. The prize fund is $175,000 for the top section ( a 12-player round robin) and $75,000 for the women's event. Both Hikaru Nakamura and Wesley So won their first game, while Gata Kamsky drew.
In the meantime, in news that was initially written off as an April Fool's joke, a minor planet (4538) has been named Vishyanand in honour of the Indian world champion who is himself a well-known amateur astronomer. Google "Google tooth" if you want a geeky chess joke instead.
The DIAGRAM, WHITE TO PLAY (White: Muzychuk,Mariya Vs Black: Koneru,Humpy, WWC, Game 4.1 Sochi 2015). Black has just played 25.-- f6? Presumably she was expecting 26. Ne4 Nxb5 or 26. Qh4 fxg5 27. Qxg5 Rd1 28. Bd5+ Bxd5 (28.--Rxd5? 29. Re8+!)29. Qd8+ with a perpetual. But 26.Qd2!! Rf8 (Since 26...Rxd2 27.Re8#) 27.Bd5+ Bxd5 28.Qxd5+ Kh8 29.Qf7! (1-0). Re8 is coming. An elegant bank rank combination exploiting the pathetic Na7, Qa4.
Devangshu Datta is an internationally rated chess and correspondence chess player
