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Sunday, December 12, 2010

Women's World Chess Championship 2010 - Battle of nerves in Round 3 tie-breaks

Chess news and chess trivia blog (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2010


Hello Everybody,

Some fantastic chess was played in the tie-breaks for the third round on Sunday. Congratulations to Hou Yifan (beating Zhu Chen), Lufei Ruan (beating Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk) and Almira Skripchenko (beating Viktorija Cmilyte) to qualify for the fourth round. Harika Dronavalli also defeated Mariya Muzychuk after Round 3g (sudden death round) after two tie-break games, two rapid games and two blitz games!

They had formidable opponents and it could have gone either way. Earlier, Koneru Humpy, Kateryna Lahno, Ju Wenjun and Zhao Xue had already qualified for the fourth round.

Here are the results of the tie-breaks that went down right to the wire in all the games and had fans on the edge of their seats. These surely are the women of substance.

Round 3c
  • GM Kosteniuk, Alexandra RUS 2507-WGM Ruan, Lufei CHN 2480 0-1
  • GM Zhu, Chen QAT 2477-GM Hou, Yifan CHN 2591 ½-½
  • IM Harika, Dronavalli IND 2525-IM Muzychuk, Mariya UKR 2462 1-0
  • IM Skripchenko, Almira FRA 2460-GM Cmilyte, Viktorija LTU 2514 ½-½

Round 3d
  • WGM Ruan, Lufei CHN 2480-GM Kosteniuk, Alexandra RUS 2507 ½-½
  • GM Cmilyte, Viktorija LTU 2514-IM Skripchenko, Almira FRA 2460 ½-½
  • GM Hou, Yifan CHN 2591-GM Zhu, Chen QAT 2477 1-0
  • IM Muzychuk, Mariya UKR 2462-IM Harika, Dronavalli IND 2525 1-0

Round 3e
  • IM Harika, Dronavalli IND 2525-IM Muzychuk, Mariya UKR 2462 0-1
  • IM Skripchenko, Almira FRA 2460-GM Cmilyte, Viktorija LTU 2514 1-0
Round 3f
  • IM Muzychuk, Mariya UKR 2462-IM Harika, Dronavalli IND 2525 0-1
  • GM Cmilyte, Viktorija LTU 2514-IM Skripchenko, Almira FRA 2460 0-1
Round 3g
  • IM Muzychuk, Mariya UKR 2462-IM Harika, Dronavalli IND 2525 0-1
And, how about some games from the tie-breaks? Of course you can analyse now with far more ease than if you had watched them in real time. Nerve-wracking games all! You can check the official website here.

You can watch the games in our flashplayer below or run the moves through the pgnplayer.


PGN: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 Nc6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. d5 Ne5 6. Bf4 Ng6 7. Be3 Nf6 8. Bxc4 e5 9. Nbd2 Bd6 10. Qb3 Bc8 11. Bb5+ Nd7 12. Bg5 f6 13. Be3 O-O 14. O-O a6 15. Bd3 Nf4 16. Rfc1 Nxd3 17. Qxd3 Nb6 18. Rc2 Bd7 19. b3 f5 20. a4 a5 21. Rac1 h6 22. Bc5 fxe4 23. Nxe4 Bf5 24. Nfd2 Bxc5 25. Rxc5 Rf7 26. Nf3 Rd7 27. Nxe5 Rxd5 28. Rxd5 Qxd5 29. Nf6+ gxf6 30. Qxf5 Qxe5 31. Qg6+ Kf8 32. Qxh6+ Ke8 33. Qh8+ Ke7 34. Qg7+ Ke6 35. Kf1 Qd4 36. Re1+ Kd5 37. Qf7+ Kc5 38. Qe7+ Kd5 39. Qf7+ Kc5 40. Qxc7+ Kb4 41. Qe7+ Kxb3 42. Re3+ Kc2 43. Re2+ Kb3 44. Re3+ Kc2 45. Qh7+ Kb2 46. Re2+ Ka3 47. Qb1 Qc4 48. Qxb6 Re8 49. Qd6+ Kb3 50. Qd1+ Ka3 51. Qd6+ Kb3 52. Qd1+ Ka3 53. Qd6+ 1/2-1/2





PGN: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Nge7 7. g3 d5 8. Bg2 Nxd4 9. cxd4 Bb4+ 10. Nc3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 dxe4 12. Bxe4 c6 13. O-O O-O 14. c4 Bf5 15. Bg2 Rad8 16. Qb3 Rd7 17. d5 cxd5 18. cxd5 Rfd8 19. Rad1 Qg6 20. Rd4 Bc2 21. Qc4 b5 22. Qxb5 Nf5 23. Rb4 h6 24. Qc5 Nd6 25. Qc6 Re7 26. Bc5 Bd3 27. Bxd6 Qxd6 28. Qxd6 Rxd6 29. Rc1 f5 30. h4 Be4 31. Rc5 Kf7 32. Bxe4 fxe4 33. Kf1 e3 34. Rf4+ Kg6 35. Rc6 Rxc6 36. dxc6 exf2 37. Kxf2 Rc7 38. Rc4 Kf5 39. Kf3 Ke5 40. Rc2 g6 41. Kg4 Ke6 42. Kf4 a6 43. a3 Kf6 44. Kg4 Ke6 45. Kf4 Kf6 46. g4 g5+ 47. hxg5+ hxg5+ 48. Ke4 Ke6 49. Rc3 a5 50. a4 Kf6 51. Kd5 Ke7 52. Ke5 Kd8 53. Kf6 Re7 54. c7+ Rxc7 55. Rxc7 Kxc7 56. Kxg5 1-0





PGN: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4 Nc6 6. Nc3 g6 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bg7 9. Be3 Nf6 10. h3 O-O 11. O-O Rfc8 12. b3 a6 13. a4 e6 14. Qf3 Qe7 15. Rfd1 Nd7 16. Rab1 Nb4 17. Qe2 Nc5 18. Qd2 Ncd3 19. Na2 Nxa2 20. Qxd3 d5 21. Ne2 Nb4 22. Qd2 dxe4 23. Bb6 Nd3 24. a5 f5 25. Nc1 Ne5 26. Ne2 Bf6 27. Nc3 Nd3 28. Na4 Be5 29. Qe3 Bf4 30. Qd4 Be5 31. Qe3 Rc6 32. Rxd3 exd3 33. Qxe5 Qd6 34. Qxd6 Rxd6 35. f4 g5 36. g3 gxf4 37. gxf4 d2 38. Rd1 Kf7 39. Kf2 Rd3 40. Be3 Rxb3 41. Rxd2 Re8 42. Nc5 Rb4 43. Nd3 Ra4 44. Ne5+ Kg7 45. Rd7+ Kh6 46. Nf7+ Kh5 47. Ne5 Kh6 48. Bb6 Ra2+ 49. Ke3 Rg8 50. Kd4 Rg3 51. Kc5 Rxh3 52. Rxb7 Rc3 53. Kd6 Rb3 54. c5 Rxa5 55. Bxa5 Rxb7 56. c6 Rg7 57. Kxe6 Kh5 58. c7 Rg8 59. Kxf5 Kh4 60. Nf7 Rf8 1-0






From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com

75 comments:

  1. Saira Fernando, MadridDecember 12, 2010 at 11:54 AM

    Fantastic show Chess Queen. You did justice to the games. It is a pleasure being your fan.

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  2. Asheema Thapa, Aniruddha Thapa, Vishnu, Holi, Sheema and all your fans from Kathmand, NepalDecember 12, 2010 at 11:56 AM

    Well Done Chess Queen. You did your best and like in the East they would say - a key King move awaits you in a more crucial game. All the best.

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  3. Hey Chess Queen cheer up it might feel bad that you had to lose but then it all came down to luck in the end. You're still the best and you have nothing to prove. Hope to hear more from you with some fun chess activity.

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  4. Jennifer Bentley, LondonDecember 12, 2010 at 12:17 PM

    Great sportsmanship Chess Queen I watched you on live broadcast. I wish you had won but that doesn't really mean much considering you did your best. I really loved the fantastic draw you played yesterday. Oh boy... straight from an endgame manual.

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  5. Well done Alexandra You've really played some of the most brilliant games of this tournament. Congratulations for doing well and keeping the Russian Flag flying high.

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  6. Well played babes. You're cute. Hope to see you in Europe soon.

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  7. :( It would have been nice if you won today but I think you got tired last night. However, you played really well and I loved the way you defended. Maybe you just wanted to go home and be with your family like yesterday when Zatonskih took a 14-move draw with Humpy. Have a great time going home. Guess you've been playing all of November too oh boy oh boy oh boy You're one hell of a girl.

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  8. We wish you a good time enjoying yourself in Turkey. It was a pleasure to have you as our guest. Turkey loves the Chess Queen.

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  9. Aniruddha Pathan, NepalDecember 12, 2010 at 12:35 PM

    You played some real cool moves today and all of yesterday. Sorry about the time trouble. Have fun. You rock.

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  10. Hey Chess Queen where and when is your next simul? I gotta meet you.

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  11. You did a fantastic job Alexandra, you are always going to be the Chess Queen, that´s forever!

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  12. This Knock-Out chess world championship system is too hard on the nerves... I mean on MY nerves, when I watch the games live I can't do anything else!

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  13. Alexis Cochran, New ZealandDecember 13, 2010 at 1:05 AM

    I just hate you Chess Queen. Why the hell you didn't finish it off in the main round itself. You had all the chances. Why do you have to be kind? I have noticed lately that you are too soft on your opponents. I just hate you. I just hate you. (of course in a sweet way because I love you too much.) You are my Chess Queen. For Always. The cutest girl who made everyone sit up and talk about chess and beauty and intelligence and women who could also be moms.

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  14. Alexis Cochran, New ZealandDecember 13, 2010 at 1:09 AM

    And, the point is some of your posts were late so my prayer got posted late. Damn. I wish you had won. I was so desperate. But you know what you DID win! You did your best. They say chess has no element of chance but I think it does. I love you for who you are - the girl who changed the face of women's chess forever and led the way for some other beautiful Russian women like Pogonina, Kosintseva sisters, Galliamova ... I love the RUssian girls of chess.

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  15. Amrit Puri, Knights Chess Club, New DelhiDecember 13, 2010 at 1:22 AM

    Good fight Alexandra. Super girl stuff you're made of. Sometimes, it's just not destined girl. But count your blessings. You rock.

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  16. Siddhartha Mohapatra, KolkataDecember 13, 2010 at 1:29 AM

    Supergirl so unflagging in your glow after all
    Supergirl you're the strongest girl I know after all
    Open hands catch the light you're after
    Breathe again fill the moon with laughter

    I love you so Chess Queen Alexandra.

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  17. Did you go alone to play the World Championship? Wow. What courage. You should have technically won in the main round itself. As a fan I am very disappointed by the result but again as a fan of the Chess Queen I believe you did your best and there are times when someone else just has to win. Congratulations to all the women who have made it to the ROund 4. Congratulations to you Chess Queen for coming this far and for the super strength you will gain hereafter and win bigger crowns. Best wishes from Pondicherry. - A.J.

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  18. Hey Alexandra good show. You're one fighter. It was a blaze of glory. You're the best. Don't stop tweeting or blogging okay. And please please please update www.chesskillertips.com. I am waiting.

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  19. Don't be sad Chess Queen. It does hurt to lose but then you know how to handle it. The important thing is you did your best. I for one - sorry I don't want to write any bad stuff - but would have preferred if you had won in Round 3 itself. I think there were people reminding you again and again that it is title defense so you had nerve problems. Otherwise, in a regular tournament you would have made it for sure. All the best.

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  20. Love this glorious photo of yours http://chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=6868 All the best for the future Super Girl.

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  21. Don't be sad at all my Chess Queen. We love you.

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  22. Chess Queen play a bigger game - You have nothing left to prove in the chess world. How about contribution to international public life - of course come back and play but I would like to see you as something way bigger than the world champion in women's section. Go girl go.

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  23. Hello Alexandra you're really cute to have played thus far. It is disappointing for the time being but then look at your overall stature. Wow. You are awesome. You're human ya. Don't let this loss put you down girl. Way to go. You are what you are - the best.

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  24. Chess Queen A1 Alexandra Kosteniuk

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  25. Hey Alexandra You're the best! You looked the best in the video. A true Chess Queen.

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  26. Hi Alexandra You really played well. The last of the Russians standing. We love you.

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  27. Hi Chess Queen We are all pieces in a Higher Chess Game. :) Stay happy.

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  28. What an awesome fight Alexandra. Amazing games you played. Absolute sitters. Real Cool. Keep up the good work and I admire all you have done to promote chess and to make it so cool.

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  29. Katie Chelmsford, LondonDecember 13, 2010 at 4:25 AM

    Good job Alexandra. Hope to see you win a big tournament soon. All the best.

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  30. Good fight Alexandra. Sad you lost but then it's all part of the game. Keep up the good work you're doing as Chess Queen. Cheers.

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  31. You're electric girl. One loss doesn't really matter.

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  32. Wikileaks: Chess Queen was in a rush to go home to her family so she lost.Love is way bigger than chess.

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  33. @chessqueen The tournament is over but life goes on. Will try to learn from the mistakes I made and come back with more power! Thx 4 the support!

    You sure will come back with super strength Alexandra. Stay happy and strong Chess Queen.

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  34. Alexandra,you did so much for chess and chess players in your reign as World Chess Champion!! You certainly are one of the most altruistic and unselfish persons that has has ever walked on the planet, unlike so many chess players we hear about and read about in this day and age. Your dedication to your blog and website, in trying to help the ordinary player improve, has been and will continue to be such a wonderful thing for your fans to share. The videos you have made have been so interesting and educational for us, and together with all of these wonderful activities and blog posts you have given us insight into the Chess profession and what it must be like to be the best at something, we would like to thank you so very much! Best wishes to you and your family in all that you do in the present and future. Have a very Happy Festive season!
    sincerely,
    Wayne

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  35. Well played Alexandra. It was just a bit unlucky. But don't lose heart. You are the best.

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  36. Ну играл в шахматы королевы. Не грусти.

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  37. Вы лучшие шахматы королева

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  38. You are one tough opponent. What a game you played particularly in the second set of Round 3. Amazing. You found the only move that draws. Great show Chess Queen. Hope to see you play a nice tournament soon. Best of Luck.

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  39. Es un dia muy triste para todos los que somos fans de alejandra kosteniuk...

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  40. Todo lo mejor para la futura Reina de Ajedrez. Tú eres el mejor.

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  41. no problem alexandra, u played well. and anyway, you have given us -chess fans- numerous exciting chess moments over the years. and there is always a next time;) cheers.
    veran fernando, colombo

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  42. Simeonis, ThessalonikiDecember 13, 2010 at 8:48 AM

    Όλα τα καλύτερα για το μέλλον Chess Queen. Είστε το καλύτερο και θα παραμείνει έτσι.

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  43. Nobody wins or loses. Its always chess that reigns supreme. i think you have done your best. Hamsa Khalid, Egypt

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  44. Simeonis, ThessalonikiDecember 13, 2010 at 8:50 AM

    Δεν χρειάζεται να το σκέφτομαι πάλι Chess Queen. Έχετε κάνει τόσα πολλά για την προώθηση της σκακιού ότι η απώλεια αυτή δεν σημαίνει τίποτα. Είναι απλά ότι μερικές φορές κάποιος πρέπει να κάνει τον τρόπο για μια υψηλότερη Design για να ξεδιπλωθεί. Ακόμη Stefanova, Chiburdanidze, Zhu χαθεί. Έτσι δεν είναι καμία μεγάλη υπόθεση. Έχετε μια μεγάλη εορταστική περίοδο μπροστά με την οικογένειά σας. Σας αγαπάμε και ανυπομονώ να παρτίδα σκάκι από εσάς κατά το προσεχές έτος και μετά.

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  45. hey, see whosoever wins this year will also lose someday. that's lfe....remember frank sinatra. so hum along. eric nolan

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  46. Te queremos Ajedrez Reina. Simplemente no importancia. Tú eres el mejor.

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  47. alexandra we know how well you play and we also know wat you are capable of. so let the others prove themselves this time. winning and losing is another story.
    priya joshi, bangalore, india

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  48. i was really sad yesterday. but after reading your blog today, i feel happy that i supported you and i will....always
    fu tung, hk
    ps- am a big fan of chess and its queen

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  49. Martha Bradbury, LondonDecember 13, 2010 at 8:59 AM

    Alexandra you have done a lot for your fans and chess and chess players during the last two years. Best wishes to you and your family. I am very happy to see all this material that you have written and built up via the Internet. Who was tweeting or blogging before you? The kind of public attention you have brought for chess as your reign as World Chess Champion is exemplary. We love you much. Hope to see you win a strong tournament soon in 2011. You are a Chess Queen of the modern generation and I am proud to have taken your autograph at my recent visit to Moscow. We love you.

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  50. oh cheer up cheer up gal. richard canberra

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  51. so what you lost, i can visualise you winning the next one. np, auckland

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  52. Sizin Türkiye'yi ziyaret için teşekkür ederiz. Eğer satranç Queen vardır. Seni çok seviyorum.

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  53. yes, yes,np. i agree with you. she will surely win next time.daisy

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  54. win or lose. i am throwing a party for alexandra and all my chess friends are invited.
    preety, maryland

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  55. I suspect Alexandra Kosteniuk was given something in her drink before the match. Please check the video from Europe-Echecs.com. She has a glass in her hand before the match. I don't think Alexandra would herself know about this. But I would like to ask all the fans. Is it not a possibility? I refuse to believe that she lost. It is not possible. I saw the games. It was like she was trying to lose or what or her mind was foggy at that moment. I think something was given to her without her knowing.

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  56. @swakilki how ridiculous

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  57. @swakilki - Ok I am a great fan of Chess Queen also and I believe there was an element of luck involved but your theory is stupid. I think you shouldn't raise aspersions like that considering so many negative people out there who could use it otherwise. Let's face facts.

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  58. The World Championship has become boring now. None of them have the looks of Alexandra. Nor the brains. Luck may be...

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  59. No te preocupes, Alexandra.
    Ya habrá otra oportunidad para que demuestres la gran ajedrecista que eres.

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  60. Agree, Alexandra is a very smart person and a beautiful woman, that´s what Chess needs: "the beauty of a smart game"
    You are doing a fantastic job promoting Chess around the world! Thank You Alexandra!

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  61. You are still my favourite chessplayer, no loss can change that! I know you will get stronger for next tournament.
    Have a good X-Mas !!

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  62. Beauty...brains...love....funniness...all is around and in the present. You are the chessqueen forever !

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  63. Sylvie Fernando, ArgentinaDecember 14, 2010 at 9:09 AM

    All the best Alexandra for the future. I was just looking at the line-up at the quarter -finals. Seems pretty dull. Not one of these women have a blog or tweet. Sorry folks, I still prefer Alexandra Kosteniuk to be World Champion. What a dull thing not to have your glorious presence around. Damn.

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  64. Sylvie Fernando, ArgentinaDecember 14, 2010 at 9:20 AM

    Sorry no ill will meant to any of the other ladies who are playing but guess I am just so used to and love you as World Champion Alexandra. I am already looking forward to 2012. YOU can do it. I wish you would be back. Why was it not like the men's world championship with you defending your crown against a challenger? But guess it was like this last time also when you won so guess it's ok. But I wish you were back soon as World Champion. I think it just might be Almira this time.

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  65. Barbara Cole, ArgentinaDecember 14, 2010 at 9:37 AM

    I do hope you will continue to promote chess around the world as Chess Queen. I doubt anyone else would be able to do as much as you have already done. What tournaments are you playing next? I hope to see you recover all your rating points and get back to the top soon. Love you.

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  66. Amrit Puri, Knights Chess Club, New DelhiDecember 14, 2010 at 9:56 AM

    Have a great festive season ahead with your family. Looking forward to all your tweets, blog posts and great tournament victories in 2011.

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  67. Sorry Alexandra you lost but it was you have set such a high standard of work that a World Champion should do promoting a sport that now I would like to see if the next champion can match that. IMPOSSIBLE. It was important that you stepped aside from the title so that the world can see what you did. I wish you all the best in all your endeavors and look forward to your beautiful chess and your beautiful smile in the coming year.

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  68. Hey Chess Queen why don't you plan an international chess tournament for women that is played online?

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  69. :( But so what you are still the best. Who cares about a tournament...

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  70. I don't mind whoever wins but would any of the eight can do what you did to promote chess? and give it a brand value and make it the talk of the media? Hope you won't stop doing all the good work otherwise chess for girls will be in the slump again.

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  71. Oh the World Championship has become very boring now. Why the damn you had to lose Alexandra? I hate to love you so.

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  72. All the best for your chess Alexandra. Have a great festive season and year ahead. No worries you're the best. One tournament here and there doesn't matter. Anyway you proved yourself enough in chess. Way more than any of your predecessors. I hope to continue to see you promoting chess. God Bless.

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  73. There shall never be a World Champion like the Chess Queen called Alexandra Kosteniuk who conquered the world with the three Cs - Chess, Charm and Charisma. We love you. See you soon playing chess in Europe.

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  74. Go girl go. You're the best.

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  75. Please continue playing Chess Queen. I love your style - both on the board and off it. The world would be so much poorer if you just went away. Also who would promote chess the way you do? I hope to hear more from you.

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