Tan Zhongyi remained in the sole lead after five played rounds in the Women’s Candidates Tournament 2024, keeping her half-a-point advantage over Aleksandra Goryachkina. With all four draws in the fifth round, the standings didn’t change, and all the players kept their previous rankings.
Playing Black, Nurgyl Salimova opted for Caro Kan defense and Tan Zhongyi left the opening with a clear edge. However, the Bulgarian international master defended well, and managed to trade some pieces reaching a fairly equal position.
Eventually, the game went to a completely drawn Rooks endgame, and the players signed a peaceful result.
Tan Zhongyi vs Nurgyul Salimova 1/2-1/2
Goryachkina Aleksandra is still trailing by half a point and keeps clear second place after drawing her fifth-round game against Koneru Humpy. The game was around the equal evaluation almost all the time, but it seemed that Goryachkina missed a small chance in an endgame.
Instead of 42…Rd5?!, Goryachkina could have played 42…Bd6! which would allow her to keep pressuring for a win. However, after a small inaccuracy, the game developed into a deadly drawn Rooks endgame and the players shook their hands.
Humpy Koneru vs Aleksandra Goryachkina 1/2-1/2
Standings after five played rounds:
| Rk. | Name | FED | Rtg | Pts. | |
| 1 | GM | Tan, Zhongyi | CHN | 2521 | 3.5 |
| 2 | GM | Goryachkina, Aleksandra | FID | 2553 | 3 |
| 3 | GM | Lagno, Kateryna | FID | 2542 | 2.5 |
| 4 | IM | Vaishali, Rameshbabu | IND | 2475 | 2.5 |
| 5 | IM | Salimova, Nurgyul | BUL | 2432 | 2.5 |
| 6 | GM | Koneru, Humpy | IND | 2546 | 2 |
| 7 | GM | Lei, Tingjie | CHN | 2550 | 2 |
| 8 | GM | Muzychuk, Anna | UKR | 2520 | 2 |
Photos by FIDE/ Michal Walusza and Maria Emelianova
