After Stefanova, Koneru and Cramling faltered, another top seed was eliminated. This time, it’s the reigning Russian Champion / model / actress Alexandra Kosteniuk. She lost to IM Cmilyte, Viktorija (LTU). Kosteniuk was able to hold off Cmilyte for a draw in a lost position yesterday. There was no such chance today as Cmilyte won convincingly.
As of this moment, Xu, Yuhua (CHN), Matveeva, Svetlana (RUS), Khurtsidze, Nino (GEO) and Cmilyte, Viktorija (LTU) have moved on while the other four are still undecided. Former Women’s World Champion Maia Chiburdanidze will enter the rapid playoff shortly as she tied 1-1 against Ju, Wenjun (CHN).
UPDATE: Chiburdanidze, Maia (GEO), Galliamova, Alisa (RUS), Sebag, Marie (FRA), Kovalevskaya, Ekaterina (RUS) advanced in the playoff. Chiburdanidze and Sebag had to go all the way to the blitz games to move on.
The Cinderella ride of 12-year old Hou, Yifan (CHN) ended today. She lost 0-2 to Khurtsidze, Nino (GEO).
Who do you think will come out on top at the end? Will it be Xu, Yuhua? Will it be Chiburdanidze? Will it be Cmilyte? 
Xu Yuhua is tough. She won 2 World Cups with the same format.
the knockout format is like random chaos to me.
Kosteniuk was too busy bragging about her modelling career and inflated ratings. She wanted to be Kournikova and she got it.
but watch out: Kournikova did not win any title … ! Alexandra – the model – did so – and will – by her own statement – do so – in the name of love – of chess – of other reasons, maybe!
Last but not least she will win in the name of FIDE president Mr. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov – i suppose …
sincerly – Vohaul
PS: by the way – @ALL: please support Mr Bessel Kok in his struggle for FIDE presidentship – hopefully chess players will finally regain control over the chess world!
Kournikova was #1 in the world in doubles and won many doubles grand slams. She was also in the top 5 in the world in singles.
Kosteniuk was never #1 in any world ranking, not even as a junior.
Kournikova is beautiful and pleasant. Kosteniuk is not.
but Alexandra is out, too :-((
(and by the way – she is very cute in my opinion … ^^)
a sad Vohaul
Whether you like or dislike Alexandra, please be polite to her. Please treat everyone with respect.
Thanks!
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
http://www.SusanPolgar.com
oops – i like her very much (do you all know her german fan site – nice pics! if not – i’ll post it for you!) – but my “out talking” was with respect to the results in ekatarinburg – Alexandra lost her match against Viktorija Cmilyte – and no Ilyumzhinov will help her now… 🙂
all favourites are busted – maybe Maja will do it again … (i can not spell these chinese names – all sound equal to me – sorry!)
u’r Vohaul
Vohaul, I did not mean you 🙂 I meant some anonymous posters.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
http://www.PolgarChess.com
http://www.SusanPolgar.com
Well there are 8 players rated between 2415 and 2511. It’s really anyone’s match. I’ll guess Khurtsidze for no particular reason.
Ah! But there is reason: Her name starts with letter K. Same as all other champion. Kasparov, Karpov, Kramnik, Kasimzhanov, Topalov…