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Humpy loses in the Finals of the Speed Chess Championship 2020

by Shahid Ahmed - 20/07/2020

Humpy's brilliant run at the final leg of FIDE chess.com Women's Speed Chess Championship came to an end as she lost to former Women's World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk by 5-7. The score was equal 3.5-3.5 after Game 7 and Humpy almost had a decisive advantage in Game 8 which was also the last Blitz game of the Finals. However she misplayed her position and allowed Kosteniuk to get the upper hand. Three consecutive losses was a big blow to Humpy's momentum and it was surmountable for her to make a comeback. Kosteniuk will now face former Women's World Champion Anna Ushenina in the Superfinals. Photo: Saint Louis Chess Club

Kosteniuk will play the Superfinals

The reigning Women's World Rapid Champion Humpy started the Finals with a loss and then she quickly struck back to make it 1-1. After making a draw in the third game, Humpy lost two consecutive games but she won the next two consecutive games to make it 3.5-3.5 after Game 7. Humpy almost had a winning position in Game 8 but she misplayed and lost that game and the next two also which made things surmountable for Humpy to make a tie. Kosteniuk eventually won the Finals by 7-5 and she will now play the Superfinals against GM Anna Ushenina.

Kosteniuk got the better of Humpy| Photo: Saint Louis Chess Club

A beautiful combination

After losing the first game which had a draw-ish endgame, Humpy struck back in Game 2 with a beautiful combination and won the game in just 24 .

Humpy - Kosteniuk, Game 2

Position after 18...Ned7

Find out how should white launch an attack after 18...Ned7

Position after 20...Ngf6

20...Ngf6 allows white to finish the game with a beautiful combination. How?

Humpy equalizes

After suffering two consecutive brutal losses, Humpy struck back immediately in Game 6 and 7 to equalize the score 3.5-3.5

Humpy - Kosteniuk, Game 6

Position after 23...Rad8

White has two extra pawns but black has a bishop pair and the position is open too. Find out how should white continue after 23...Rad8

In a seemingly equal position, Kosteniuk blundered a mate in two. Humpy spotted it quickly with only five seconds left on the clock, she managed to win the game equalize the score after Game 7

Kosteniuk - Humpy, Game 7

Position after 39...Qxf3

Find out the best continuation for white after 39...Qxf3 and what white should not play in this position.

Advantage Kosteniuk

In the last 3+1 game, Humpy had an advantage for the majority of the game, until she blundered which even Kosteniuk took a while to capitalize and eventually Humpy capitulated.

Humpy - Kosteniuk, Game 8

Position after 23...exd5

How should white continue after 23...Qxd5 ? The game continued with 24.Nb3 which is a blunder. Kosteniuk missed the quicker win and continued with 24...Nc4. What did black miss?

Sole Bullet win

After losing three consecutive games, Humpy finally won Game 11 and the score became 4.5-6.5 in Kosteniuk's favor.

The last game was a hard fought where Humpy tried to push for a win but didn't get a whole lot of practical chances and the game eventually ended up in a draw after 78 moves. Humpy lost the Finals by 5-7

Replay all Humpy-Kosteniuk games in Finals

Prizes

GP Points and Prizes | Source: chess.com

GP Players

Women's Speed Chess Championship has nine seeded players, among them reigning Women's World Rapid Champion GM Koneru Humpy is there | Source: chess.com

Each leg is a 16-player knockout event and will last five days (including one rest day after the semi-finals). The dates are June 24-28th, July 1-5th, July 8-12th and July 15-19th, with games starting at 14:30 CET (6 p.m. IST)

GP Standings

Each player will play three out of the four legs in the Grand Prix | Source: chess.com

Replay the livestream

Live commentary by GM Robert Hess and GM Anna Muzychuk | Video: FIDE

Links

FIDE

chess.com


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