Cairns Cup 2024

[Hans Jung]

https://en.chessbase.com/post/cairns-cup-2024-preview

[Hans Jung]

Alexandra Kosteniuk conducted her first round game with great energy. The bishops of opposite color middlegame that she angled for was decisive in the end, although after a lot of attack and counterattack, cut and thrust.

[Hans Jung]

Mariya Muzychuk's 31.Rxe6! was the decisive exchange sack breakthrough! After that White was having all the fun.

[Hans Jung]

Alice Lee found some very admirable counterplay against Tan but it was not enough as Tan found some impressive counter tactics.

[Hans Jung]

Irina Krush had some nice strategic advantages against Anna Muzychuk but could not convert them.

[Hans Jung]

Three way tie for first Kosteniuk, M. Muzychuk and Tan after the first round.

[Hans Jung]

https://en.chessbase.com/post/cairns...orld-champions

[Hans Jung]

Rd 2 Harika beat Konsteniuk with excellent opening prep and then finished with nice technique.

[Hans Jung]

Rd 2 Irina Krush achieved another winning position against Tan but couldnt convert.

[Hans Jung]

Dzagnidze destroyed Zatonskih.

[Hans Jung]

Alice Lee got her first half point and almost her first win but Eli Paetz escaped with a perpetual check combination. Goodo Alice!

[Hans Jung]

Leaderboard changes dramatically. Four way tie for first after two rounds. Dronavalli, Dzagnidze, Mariya Muzychuk, and Tan.

[Hans Jung]

Rex and Jeannie Sinquefeld are in giving mode again. They have established a incentive grant of $100,000 - $20,000 each for the first five female grandmasters in the US. Persoanlly I think its a great idea because I got tired of seeing Irina Krush as the only grandmaster.

[Hans Jung]

https://en.chessbase.com/post/cairns-cup-2024-2

[Hans Jung]

Its nice to see chess queen Nona there as guest of honour.