Women's Speed Chess Leg 3 final is set: Hou Yifan takes on Kateryna Lagno.

The semi between Hou Yifan and Iranian star Sarasadat Khadamalsharieh was a one-sided battle. The world's #1 female player who was inactive for a couple of years for her Oxford studies is getting back in shape with every game played has left no chance for her opponent, winning 9-2.

The match between two good friends and the Russian national team colleagues, Kateryna Lagno and Alexandra Kosteniuk, was much more intense. It was tied at 4.5-4.5 with just 3 minutes to play. In the next bullet game, the opponents were seemingly steering towards a draw when Lagno suddenly found winning chances in the opposite-colored bishops endgame. Kosteniuk resigned right in time with two seconds left on the countdown meaning that she had another comeback attempt. Nevertheless, Lagno was the one to dictate the proceedings as she won it without much of a fight clinching the match 6.5-4.5. 

In the broadcast interview, Lagno paid respects to her opponent in the final Hou Yifan:

"I missed her, I missed her so much! I think she is really one of the strongest players so it was a pity she stopped playing, she is very talented. I understand it will be a hard match but I am very happy to see her playing chess again."

The final will take place on Sunday, July 12 after a free day. Tune in at 13:30 CEST (an hour earlier than usual).