The first half of the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2024 is over and the event entered its second half with crowd on the top.
Lei Tingjie defeated the sole leader Tan Zhongyi, and we now have a three-way tie on the top between Lei Tingjie, Tan Zhongyi and Aleksandra Goryachkina. Tan Znogyi chose to open with a very solid London, but refused a three-fold repetition offered by her compatriot. The play continued, but Lei Tingjie had a slightly better position and gradually improved her advantage.
Lei Tingjie found a way for her pieces to reach Tan Zhongyi’s undeveloped Queen, and forced her opponent on the resignation.
Humpy Koneru scored her first victory in the tournament, defeating Vaishali R. Vaishali made a bad blunder in the early part of the game, letting her opponent to take the offered exchange.
However, Humpy Koneru’s realization wasn’t perfect and Vaishali had very good draw chances. All hopes for a draw fall in water after Vaishali’s 55…Rc4?? and there was no defense anymore for the young Indian.
The other two games played between Aleksandra Goryachkina and Kateryna Lagno, and Anna Muzychuk vs Nurgyul Salimova finished in draws.
Rankings after eight played rounds:
| Rk. | Name | FED | Rtg | Pts. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GM | Lei, Tingjie | CHN | 2550 | 5 |
| 2 | GM | Goryachkina, Aleksandra | FID | 2553 | 5 |
| 3 | GM | Tan, Zhongyi | CHN | 2521 | 5 |
| 4 | GM | Lagno, Kateryna | FID | 2542 | 4,5 |
| 5 | IM | Salimova, Nurgyul | BUL | 2432 | 3,5 |
| 6 | GM | Koneru, Humpy | IND | 2546 | 3,5 |
| 7 | GM | Muzychuk, Anna | UKR | 2520 | 3 |
| 8 | IM | Vaishali, Rameshbabu | IND | 2475 | 2,5 |
