U.S. Women's Chess Championship: Krush, Zatonskih tied at top spot with one round to go

WIM Iryna Zenyuk lost a tough game against

her friend IM Irina Krush in the eight round.

Hello Everyone!

The U.S. Women's Championship is poised for an exciting finish with the top seeds IM Irina Krush and defending champions IM Anna Zatonskhi both tied at 7.0 points each after eight rounds. There is one round to go.

Interestingly, the eighth round saw four wins by black and just one draw. Krush won her game to draw level with Zatonskih who had the only draw of the round against Abrahamyan. The latter is on the third spot.

Krush WFM Abby Marshallmeets a relatively easier opponent in in the ninth round while Zatonskih will play WGM Sabina Foisor.

Results of Round 8

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1. WGM Sabina Foisor-WIM Alisa Melekhina 0-1

2. WIM Iryna Zenyuk-IM Irina Krush 0-1

3. WFM Abby Marshall-WGM Camilla Baginskaite 0-1

4. WIM Beatriz Marinello-WGM Katerina Rohonyan 0-1

5. WFM Tatev Abrahamyan-IM Anna Zatonskih ½-½

Standings after Round 8

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1. IM Anna Zatonskih 7.0

2. IM Irina Krush 7.0

3. WFM Tatev Abrahamyan 6.5

4. WIM Alisa Melekhina 4.5

5. WGM Katerina Rohonyan 4.5

6. WIM Iryna Zenyuk 3.0

7. WGM Sabina Foisor 2.5

8. WGM Camilla Baginskaite 3.0

9. WIM Beatriz Marinello 1.5

10. WFM Abby Marshall 0.5

Here is the nice game between WIM Iryna Zenyuk and IM Irina Krush which you can run in the pgnplayer or watch in flash below. Also check the official website for videos, photos and articles.

PGN: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 b5 5. dxe6 fxe6 6. cxb5 a6 7. bxa6 Bxa6 8. g3 Nc6 9. Bh3 Be7 10. O-O O-O 11. Nc3 Qb6 12. b3 Nd4 13. Nxd4 cxd4 14. Na4 Qa7 15. Bb2 e5 16. Bg2 d5 17. Kh1 Kh8 18. Bc1 Ne4 19. f3 d3 20. exd3 Nf2+ 21. Rxf2 Qxf2 22. Nc3 Rac8 23. Nxd5 Qd4 0-1



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