The Ukrainian grandmaster defeated Antoaneta Stefanova on tie-break.

The tie-break between Anna Ushenina (Ukraine) and Antoaneta Stefanova (Bulgaria) was short, but the struggle was really tense.

Antoaneta Stefanova had White in the first rapid game. She obtained a minimal advantage in the opening, but her central break was a bit premature, as it allowed Black to open the files and activate her pieces. The position got simplified, and Black eventually equalized. In the subsequent maneuvering game White tried different tricks, but Black defended accurately and parried all threats. A draw was agreed on 89th move.

In the second game Anna Ushenina demonstrated an opening novelty and seized the initiative. Stefanova ended up in a worse position and was short on time. After the exchange of queens White got a spatial advantage, invaded Black’s camp with her rooks and won a pawn. Stefanova did not want to defend passively and attempted to activate her pieces, but Ushenina exchanged a pair of rooks and denied her counterplay. Soon White won another pawn and accurately converted her decisive material advantage.

The score in the final is 3.5-2.5 in favor of Anna Ushenina (Ukraine). FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov congratulated her with this historic achievement at the concluding press-conference. The FIDE President arrived today to Khanty-Mansiysk to participate in the closing ceremony of the 2012 Women’s World Championship.

Official website: http://chess2012.ugrasport.com

Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Tags: , , ,