WGM Vaishali R. became the second player to qualify for the main event of the 2021 Women’s Speed Chess Championship. She is the second player from India to make it to the final stage of this prestigious online competition.
This qualifier was a 9-round Swiss tournament (3+1 time control), with the top eight finishers advancing to the knockout playoff stage. In the semifinals, Vaishali R. defeated Bibisara Assaubayeva 2-0, whereas Polina Shuvalova (Russia) who had reached semis the day before made it one step further this time after besting Karina Ambartsumova by the same score 2-0.
The final started with a drama in the first game – the Indian GM completely outplayed her Russian opponent in a knight-vs.-bishop endgame with black pieces but lost on time in an absolutely winning position (most likely due to some connectivity issue). With her back against the wall, Vaishali R. launched a furious attack in game two, checkmated Black’s king and levelled the score.
The third and final game turned into a roller-coaster. The Indian obtained a very promising position from the opening but spoiled it by hastily sacrificing her queen for a rook and minor piece. Polina seemed in full control but then she made a terrible blunder in mutual time scramble that cost her dearly. Vaishali emerged up a rook and sealed her spot in the main event of the 2021 Women’s Speed Chess Championship.
The next qualifier will happen on Sunday, May 30 starting at 7 a.m. Pacific/16:00 CEST.
The FIDE Chess.com 2021 Women’s Speed Chess Championship is an online competition for titled female players. The qualifiers for the event will happen from May 28-June 6, while the main event runs June 10-July 3. Players will battle for their share of a total prize fund of $66,000.
One player from each playoff qualifier will move on to the main event. There they will be joined by eight invited players: GM Humpy Koneru (IND), GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (RUS), GM Antoaneta Stefanova (BUL), GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR), GM Irina Krush (USA), GM Kateryna Lagno (RUS), GM Lei Tingjie (CHN).
Fans can follow the FIDE Chess.com Women’s Speed Chess Championship by watching the live broadcast with expert commentary on Chess.com/TV and Chess.com’s Twitch channel. They will also be able to enjoy the event through Chess.com’s Events page (https://www.chess.com/events).
More info and a full schedule of the FIDE Chess.com Women’s Speed Chess Championship can be found here.
