Just three weeks before challenging Ju Wenjunt for the world title, Goryachkina demonstrates that she is in top shape. The Russian increases her lead, as Koneru loses her first game since the Batumi Chess Olympiad. It is all set for a very exciting last round, where Humpy and Aleksandra will finally cross swords.

The ninth round of the FIDE Grand Prix in Monaco could possibly be labeled the decisive one. Aleksandra Goryachkina was hanging by a thread but escaped defeat, while Humpy Koneru lost her first game in this event. Elisabeth Paehtz has clearly been out of form in Monaco, having lost four games so far, but in her encounter with Koneru, she raised to the occasion and caused the biggest upset in the tournament so far. The German reached a typical Maroczy structure from her King’s-Indian opening and Koneru did not handle it well. Being under pressure, the Indian lost a pawn without getting enough counter chances. After White’s second pawn fell, Koneru’s position became hopeless and she resigned shortly after.

At the same time, Goryachkina chose a solid but passive line of the French Defense in her game with Mariya Muzychuk. Mariya played some unusual moves at first, but her pieces suddenly sprang into action. She managed to put pressure in all areas of the board and Goryachkina clearly seemed uncomfortable. Yet, the Russian would not be the World Championship challenger if she could not handle tough positions. She defended with resilience and wisely gave up a pawn in order to exchange some pieces. It is hard to point out exactly where the advantage slipped through Muzychuk’s fingers. The game simplified into a drawish endgame after the time control, which Goryachkina held confidently. The Russian is now a full point ahead of an Indian, as Harika Dronavalli made a draw against Kateryna Lagno and caught up with her compatriot Koneru. The opening of that game was quite interesting, but as sometimes happens early simplifications resulted in a draw by repetition.

Anna Muzychuk obtained a clear advantage in the opening against Pia Cramling, but later missed an important defensive resource by the Swedish champion. The final position was very unclear, as Black had no choice but sacrificing her queen, but the Ukrainian preferred not to take any risk and offered a draw.

This is definitely not the tournament for Valentina Gunina, who suffered yet one more defeat, and has only one point out after nine rounds. In her game with Nana Dzagnidze, her opening turned into a disaster as she was already lost after 15 moves without any chance to put up a fight. The Russian, who started the year with a sound victory at the Cairns Cup in Saint Louis, has had some health problems since she arrived in Monaco and that cast a pall over her performance.

Alexandra Kosteniuk won a pawn right after the opening against Zhao Xue but the Chinese did not have to worry much because of her overall activity. The game was always in balance and ended in a draw on move 42. 

Even though Goryachkina is a clear leader now, one point clear of Koneru, it is highly possible that the last-round encounter between the two of them will be decisive to determine the winner of the Monaco Grand Prix.

Results of round 9:
Valentina Gunina (Rus) – Nana Dzagnidze (Geo): 0-1
Alexandra Kosteniuk (Rus) – Zhao Xue (China): ½-½
Kateryna Lagno (Rus) – Harika Dronavalli (Ind): ½-½
Humpy Koneru (Ind) – Elisabeth Paehtz (Ger): 0-1
Anna Muzychuk (Ukr) – Pia Cramling (Swe): ½-½
Mariya Muzychuk (Ukr) – Aleksandra Goryachkina (Rus): ½-½

Standings after round 9:
1. Aleksandra Goryachkina - 6½ points
2-3. Humpy Koneru and Harika Dronavalli - 5½
4-7. Anna Muzychuk, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Kateryna Lagno and Pia Cramling - 5  
8. Mariya Muzychuk - 4½
9. Nana Dzagnidze - 4
10-11. Elisabeth Paehtz and Zhao Xue - 3½
12. Valentina Gunina - 1

Round 10, 13 December at 3 pm:
Nana Dzagnidze (Geo) – Zhao Xue (China)
Harika Dronavalli (Ind) – Alexandra Kosteniuk (Rus)
Elisabeth Paehtz (Ger) – Kateryna Lagno (Rus)
Pia Cramling (Swe) – Humpy Koneru (Ind)
Aleksandra Goryachkina (Rus) – Anna Muzychuk (Ukr)
Valentina Gunina (Rus) – Mariya Muzychuk (Ukr) 

Official website with live games and commentary by WGM Keti Tsatsalashvili, IM Almira Skripchenko and GM Josif Dorfman: https://wgp2019.fide.com

Pictures are available on our official Flickr account.

Text: Yannick Pelletier
Pictures: Karol Bartnik