The Ukrainian player defeated Nadezhda Kosintseva and shared her impressions about the match.
– Anna, it was a very deep game. Is that because of high-quality home preparation?
– No, I just knew some basic ideas, but played this game mostly on my own. It was an interesting game. I sacrificed a pawn, but was not quite convinced, however, Nadezhda defended imprecisely, and I got an edge.
– How could Black defend more accurately in your opinion?
– There was an interesting opportunity: before taking the pawn, Black should have played f5 and Nf6 in order to prevent e4. It is also possible that after taking the pawn she needed to rush her queenside play. I also don’t like Black’s decision to trade on e4. This was probably the decisive mistake.
– When did you become confident in winning the game?
– I didn’t think about the result at all during the game. I realized that I have an advantage, and just kept playing.
– Tell us please about the dramatic game yesterday.
– Yesterday I spent too much time in the middlegame, and made a couple of serious mistakes under time pressure, when all I had to do was calculating a couple of simple lines. Fortunately, the opponent did not capitalize on my mistakes. In the final position Nadezhda still had a big advantage and could torture be for a long time.
– Sometimes a player makes a mistake and immediately spots it…
– Of course! When I played 35…f6, Nadezhda began to think, and I instantly noticed that she can take on f6 twice. However, she rejected this move. After that I made another mistake…
– So it was a very nervous match?
– Yes indeed!
– Is this your first World Championship semifinal?
– Yes, I have never advanced this far.
– We don’t hear of you very often between major events such as Chess Olympiad or the World Championship. Do you just sit home and prepare for big games? Or you play somewhere in lesser known competitions?
– I get my practice in some team leagues. I don’t have a personal sponsor, who could support me for prestigious events, so I don’t participate in open tournaments too often.
Official website: http://chess2012.ugrasport.com
She’s the hottest player in this world championship.
First IN Last OUT. So, you will be Women World Champion 2012!!!
I hope Anna will be finally noticed by the general public and sponsors because she is much prettier than say Kosteniuk (IMO) and extremely taleanted and could be a great ambassador for women’s chess
But to be sute that will happen better win the title Anna!
No way. Kosteniuk is best. She can play the WC while tweeting and updating her facebook accounts at the same time. No one can do that. Kosteniuk is Miss Universe. She’s the greatest ever. Don’t believe me? Ask her husband.