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ZATONSKIH STAYS ON TOP AT U.S. WOMEN'S CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP WITH KEY WIN OVER CLOSE RIVAL
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ST. LOUIS, Oct. 10, 2009 -- Anna Zatonskih dispatched one of her two closest rivals in round six of the U.S. Women's Chess Championship at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. In the longest match of the day, Zatonskih, of Long Island, N.Y., used an impending pawn storm and slowly overwhelmed Melekhina's defenses.
Melekhina, of Philadelphia, Pa., was tied for second with Camilla Baginskaite going into the round, but she is still overperforming for someone of her rating. She was ranked ninth going into the tournament and at 18 is the youngest player. "Even in a very bad position, (Melekhina) came up with some very interesting ideas," Zatonskih said.
The entire field of 10 women all came perilously close to overstepping the time limit. Forced to make their first 40 moves in two hours, many women were reduced to fewer than 30 seconds before crossing the threshold. In the end, all five games were decisive for the first time in the tournament.
In the fast-paced exchange of moves, two women made inaccuracies that cost them the game. Second-seeded Irina Krush, of Brooklyn, N.Y., mired in a slump since winning in round two, got off the schnide by finding a trick against Battsetseg Tsagaan, of Ellicott City, Md., on the 38th move. "She only really messed up in time pressure," Krush said. "In time trouble it just became random. There was a lot of tactics everywhere."
Iryna Zenyuk, of Pittsburgh, Pa., also slipped as she approached move 40. Locked in a tense battle with Baginskaite, Zenyuk had her king checked back and forth several times. Knowing that repeating the position three times would produce a drawn game (and despite that she was the underdog), she varied her king's placement, but that meant allowing a series of captures that left her behind in pieces. Zenyuk immediately shook her head and scolded herself. The two played on for another hour before Zenyuk capitulated. The win keeps Baginskaite, of Sioux Falls, S.D., within one point of Zatonskih.
Sabina Foisor, of Baltimore, Md., got back to her winning ways after losing two games in a row. She defeated Rusudan Goletiani, of Hartsdale, N.Y., by using a multipurpose knight sortie that threatened a bishop on one side of the board and checkmate on the other. Goletiani had no choice but to weaken her king's safety, and Foisor's pieces slowly lurched closer before acquiring enough extra material to win in the endgame.
One of the tournament's youngest players, Yun Fan, 19, of Greencastle, Ind., got her first victory of the event by beating Tatev Abrahamyan, of Glendale, Calif. Fan is the most inexperienced competitor and commentators predicted she would improve the most over the course of her first championship. After starting with three consecutive losses, Fan has an even record over the last three matches.
For complete standings, go to www.saintlouischessclub.org/US-Womens-Championship-2009/standings.
The players have Friday off from competition, but many will be doing civic and charity events around St. Louis. Round seven play starts Sunday at noon Central time. Games can be followed live at http://www.saintlouischessclub.org/US-Womens-Championship-2009/Live-Cove... and the broadcast can be heard at www.chessclub.com/chessfm.
For a complete listing of all events surrounding the 2009 U.S. Women's Chess Championship, go to www.saintlouischessclub.org/US-Womens-Championship-2009.
The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization that opened in July 2008. Founded by retired investment fund manager Rex Sinquefield, it has more than 500 members. The club offers free classes, discounted tournament entry fees and discounted merchandise for club members. For more information, please visit www.saintlouischessclub.org, or call 314-361-CHESS.
