GM Alexandra Kosteniuk Advances to Julius Baer Women’s Speed Chess Championship 2023 Semifinals, Will Face GM Hou Yifan

GM Alexandra Kosteniuk Advances to Semifinals of Julius Baer Women’s Speed Chess Championship 2023

In an intense Quarterfinal match, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk, also known as the “Chess Queen,” secured her spot in the Semifinals of the Julius Baer Women’s Speed Chess Championship 2023 after defeating IM Vaishali Rameshbabu with a score of 13-8. Kosteniuk, a former women’s world champion, won all three segments of the match, showcasing her exceptional skills on the chessboard.

The Quarterfinal match was described as one of the most anticipated battles, as Kosteniuk faced off against the talented Vaishali, who recently won the 2023 FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss and is on the brink of earning the grandmaster title. Despite Vaishali’s strong performance, Kosteniuk’s experience and strategic gameplay allowed her to emerge victorious with a significant lead.

With this win, Kosteniuk advances to the Semifinals where she will face GM Hou Yifan on Thursday. The Semifinals are set to kick off at 6:00 a.m. ET / 12:00 CET / 4:30 p.m. IST, promising an exciting showdown between two formidable chess players.

Throughout the match, Kosteniuk displayed her prowess in all time controls, including the faster segments where her lead continued to grow. Despite her initial reluctance towards bullet chess, Kosteniuk’s performance in the 1+1 segment proved her ability to excel in any format.

As Kosteniuk prepares to face Hou Yifan in the Semifinals, she expressed her excitement for the upcoming match and her determination to improve upon last year’s results. With a prize fund of $75,000 on the line, the competition is heating up as the top women chess players battle it out for the championship title.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Julius Baer Women’s Speed Chess Championship 2023 as the competition intensifies and the world’s best female chess players showcase their skills on the virtual chessboard.