“Alexandra Kosteniuk Continues Decisive Run at Cairns Cup 2024, Half a Point Behind Leader Tan Zhongyi”

GM Alexandra Kosteniuk continues her impressive run at the Cairns Cup 2024, securing a crucial win over GM Mariya Muzychuk in round six. With this victory, Kosteniuk moves to 3.5/6, just half a point behind the tournament leader GM Tan Zhongyi.

The round saw draws on the remaining boards, with the most notable being the intense battle between IM Alice Lee and Irina Krush, lasting over five hours. The upcoming round seven, scheduled for Thursday, June 20, promises more thrilling matchups.

The Saint Louis Chess Club hosted a special event on the rest day, featuring the legendary GM Nona Gaprindashvili, providing aspiring players with the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest in the game.

In round six, Kosteniuk displayed her resilience and experience, overcoming a tough position against Muzychuk to secure the win. With three wins in the tournament so far, Kosteniuk has been a key player in the decisive results.

Harika Dronavalli and Anna Zatonskih settled for a draw, while Elisabeth Paehtz and Anna Muzychuk also shared the point in their game. Nana Dzagnidze and Tan agreed to a draw after a sharp opening, and Alice Lee and Irina Krush played out a lengthy draw in their encounter.

As the tournament heads into the final rounds, the race for the top prize intensifies, with Kosteniuk and Tan leading the pack. With only a few rounds left, the competition is heating up, and every point counts in the battle for the Cairns Cup title and the $50,000 first prize.

The 2024 Cairns Cup features some of the strongest women players in the world, competing in a round-robin format with classical time controls. Stay tuned for more exciting chess action as the tournament reaches its climax.