Ushenina self destructed in game 4 by playing passively to draw instead of her usual confident style. This was a serious mistake and she lost badly after a series of bad moves.
This was the same mistake made by Sebag against Stefanova in earlier rounds. It is understandable that Ushenina was nervous and she did not want to take risk. But it was not a good strategy.
The players will continue tomorrow with rapid / blitz / Armageddon tiebreaks. Credit has to be given to Stefanova for bringing her clutch A game.
White: Antoaneta Stefanova
Black: Anna Ushenina
Date: Fri Nov 30 2012
Result: 1-0
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O dxc4 9. Bxc4 b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. a3 a5 12. e4 e5 13. Rd1 Qc7 14. h3 Rfe8 15. Be3 exd4 16. Nxd4 Bh2+ 17. Kh1 Bf4 18. Bxf4 Qxf4 19. Nce2 Qb8 20. Ng3 Ne5 21. Bf1 Rc8 22. Ndf5 Rc7 23. Qc3 Rd7 24. f4 Rxd1 25. Rxd1 Ng6 26. Nh6+ gxh6 27. Qxf6 Qf8 28. Nf5 c5 29. Bxb5 Bxe4 30. Nd6 Rd8 31. Rd2 Bb1 32. Nxf7 Rxd2 33. Nxh6+ 1-0
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Anna choked.