Tbilisi: Dzagnidze beats Cramling in tiebreak, wins ACP Cup

The ACP Women's Cup Rapid took place in Tbilisi, Georgia, from February 17th to 21st February, 2012. Top seeds were Anna Muzychuk (2580), Kateryna Lahno (2557) and Nadezhda (2537) and Tatiana Kosintseva (2513), Nana Dzagnidze (2535) and former women's world champion Maia Chiburdanidze (2500). It is sponsored by SOCAR Energy Georgia, and organised by the Association of Chess Professionals (ACP) and the Georgian Chess Federation.

Final report

By WGM Anastasiya Karlovich

Three rounds were played in the last day of the ACP Women Cup. Before the 11th round Pia Cramling was the sole leader while Nana Dzagnidze and Kateryna Lahno shared the second spot half a point behind.

In the last round playing with white Pia Cramling (above) made a quick draw in her game against Kateryna Lahno and waited for the result of the game Tatiana Kosintseva vs Nana Dzagnidze (below).

So in the end the Georgian player managed to win this crucial game and earned the right to play a tiebreak against Pia Cramling in order to determine the winner.

The two blitz games of the tiebreak match (above) were drawn, and so the winner had to be determined in an Armageddon game. Pia got quite a good position, but did not manage her time properly. In the end Nana managed to win the game and became the winner of the ACP Women Cup.

Nana Dzagnidze receives her prize check from the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Lado Vardzelashvili, with ACP President Emil Sutovsky and Director General of SOCAR Energy Georgia Mahir Mammedov looking on. In the background on the right you can spot the ruefully smiling Pia Cramling. The total prize fund of the event was US $40,000. It was provided by the main sponsor of Georgian chess federation SOCAR Energy Georgia, Ltd.

Results

We would like to celebrate one game on the last day. Zeinab Mamedyarova, sister of Super-GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, had a disastrous tournament, losing every single game – until the final round.

Final standings (after eleven rounds)

Statistics: of the 66 games played at the ACP Women's Cup 21 games = 31.8% were won by White 22 games = 33.4% were drawn 23 games = 34.8% were won by Black Players with the white pieces performed at a 2490 level, players with the black pieces performed at a 2511 level.

After a tremendous start Anna Muzychuk, here in her tenth round draw against
Antoaneta Stefanova, had to settle for a somewhat disappointing fourth place

Viktorija Cmilyte in her tenth round game against Pia Cramling, which was drawn

Emil Sutovsky discusses a game online with Kateryna Lahno in the press centre

ACP President GM Emil Sutovsky being interviewed by the local media

The closing ceremony was held in “Metehis Chrdili” restaurant. The Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Lado Vardzelashvili, the Director General of "SOCAR Energy Georgia" Mahir Mammedov, the President of the ACP Emil Sutovky, the President of the GCF Giorgiy Giorgadze, the players and other officials came to the awards ceremony.

Dinner at the “Metehis Chrdili” restaurant, where the players could finally relax…

…and watch traditional Georgian dance performances

The President of the Georgian Chess Federation Giorgiy Giorgadze shows the
souvenirs which all participants will get during the prize-giving ceremony

A short interview with Pia Cramling

Pia Cramling: No, not at all, because during the last year I didn’t play so well and I was a little sad about my results. I also lost a lot of rating points. In Gibraltar I played well again, and I was very pleased. But it was classical chess, and normally I’m stronger in classical chess than in rapid. I was very glad that I qualified and got the chance to play here. I was just happy to come and didn’t expect anything special. I hoped I would play some nice games and that’s all. Of course I feel very pleased with my result – I played well during all four days. I had my chances in tiebreak, but I didn’t take them. Still I feel very happy. Nana Dzagnidze started slowly but then made 7.5 points out of 8. She has a lot of energy and she always tries to win. Sometimes she had a difficult position, but she was always trying hard, and it worked.

I didn’t watch the game. If it was not going to be a tiebreak I would have loved to stay in the playing hall and watch the games because I really like to do that. I went to my room and just tried to rest a bit. Nana played very well. I didn’t see the position but I thought it would be logical that Nana would win the game. After the tiebreak I played through the game between Nana and Tatiana. Tatiana could have played better and get a position with two pawns up. She made a mistake Rd1 and after that Black is better.

I think it became possible because I could keep up my energy. The tournament was short – only four days – and the schedule were not so heavy, otherwise it would favor the younger players. I also think my experience helped me, especially when we entered endgames. That advantage of playing chess so long, of playing so many different endings, helps me.

P.C. I think this event was really lovely, very well and professionally organized. It’s very important that we stayed and played at the same hotel. During ladies tournaments the atmosphere is always very good, very friendly. At the same time we can play very fighting chess.

Photos by Anastasiya Karlovich for the official web site

Links Official tournament site (with live video stream and video reports) All games in PGN The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 11 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.

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