Thus Aleksandra Yuryevna Goryachkina saved the honour of the motherland in what otherwise was a meridianus horribilis for Russian chess. At least for today she could not but choose the hardest way — no doubt, such a heavy responsibility to bear, as well as having to deal with the hostility of the non-Russian Slavic communities. In a sense, she shares the anguish that one another of the semifinalists, Anna Olehivna Muzychuk of Ukraine, also endures. Can you imagine what may happen if just the two of them will make it to the final? Will they be let free or will they be sacrificed for the sake of warlords and warmongers?
Dronavalli Harika – Aleksandra Yuryevna Goryachkina
2nd Women’s Chess World Cup; Quarterfinal tie-break game 1; time control: 25 minutes plus 10 seconds per move; Baku, August 14, 2023
8/2k2p2/4b1p1/4P2p/1R5P/1p2K1P1/5P2/2rB4 w - - 34 55
Position after 54. ... Rc2-c1
55. Bxb3?? Harika is too much in a hurry to snatch the Pawn — in fact a blunder which costs her a piece. After the correct 55. Kd2 Rb1 56. Bf3 it is difficult to see how any outcome other than a draw could have emerged.
55. ... Rc3+ 56. Kf4 Rxb3 57. Rxb3 Bxb3 58. Kg5 Kd7 59. Kf6 Be6 60. f3 Ke8 61. Kg5 Bd5 62. Kf4 Ke7 63. g4 Ke6 64. gxh5 gxh5 0 : 1.
55. ... Rc3+ 56. Kf4 Rxb3 57. Rxb3 Bxb3 58. Kg5 Kd7 59. Kf6 Be6 60. f3 Ke8 61. Kg5 Bd5 62. Kf4 Ke7 63. g4 Ke6 64. gxh5 gxh5 0 : 1.
Speaking to the media afterwards, Goryachkina jokingly warned a reporter not to keep reminding her of the darkest moments in her career: “Be careful, or otherwise I will never grant you an interview as long as I live”. Photo: Stev Bonhage/FIDE. |
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