Humpy takes sole lead in Skolkovo FIDE Women's Grand Prix

by Shahid Ahmed - 20/09/2019

Koneru Humpy continues her winning streak by scoring her fourth consecutive win in Skolkovo FIDE Women's Grand Prix 2019. The Indian ace beat Valentina Gunina in round 9 to take sole lead. Gunina tried to surprise Humpy with Blumenfeld Gambit and then by sacrificing an exchange, Humpy converted her advantage in the middlegame to a full point with accurate play to win the game and lead the tournament with two rounds left to go. Photo: David Llada / FIDE

Humpy scores four consecutive victories

Humpy is in a fantastic form | Photo: David Llada / FIDE

Valentina Gunina is known for her attacking prowess, so she opted for Blumenfeld Gambit which is not so popular at the top level chess. However, little did she know that she was prowling for the wrong prey.

Humpy - Gunina, round 9

Gunina made her intentions clear with 4...b5

Humpy is not the one to back down from a challenge so she continued with 5.dxe6 fxe6 6.cxb5 a6 7.bxa6 which is the main line of the opening.

Can you think like Humpy? Find out the best way to capture here for white

The Indian ace in form played 9.e4 allowing her opponent to play 9...Bxf1 and Humpy continued with 10.Kxf1

Why do you think Humpy played 14.h4?

It is quite obvious that White went 14.h4 to develop the kingside rook as that is the best way to develop the cornered piece.

Gunina blundered here with 17...c4. Try to find out why it is a mistake

For the lack of a better move, Gunina had to sacrifice an exchange with 18..Rxf3

Things turned completely in Humpy's favor when Gunina was forced to play 18...Rxf3, White obviously continued with 19.gxf3 and it all went downhill for Black afterwards.

31...d5 was a desperate attempt to create something dastardly

White played the obvious and easy 32.exd5 which only made Humpy that much close to victory.

There are thousand different ways to win, but Humpy chose the simple and clean one

Since overnight leader, Ju Wenjun 6.5/9 lost her game to Kateryna Lagno, thus Koneru Humpy 7.0/9 jumped to the sole leader spot with two rounds two go.

Standings after round 9

Watch Live Stream of round 9

Replay all games here

Links

Official site

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