Russian Championship Rd 8

With just 3 rounds to go, the players are stepping up the pressure in their bid for the prestigious national title. Today’s 8th round saw numerous decisive games.

My former team mate (Evora, Portugal) Alexander Riazantsev (5 pts) finds himself with a slim lead over not less than 5 players: Grischuk,Svidler, Tomashevsky, Jakovenko and Fedoseev. Anything is still possible, and the next rounds will provide plenty of excitement for fans…

Alexander Riazantsev, age 31, has never won the Russian Championship, but has an impressive CV, winning numerous international and national titles.  Curiously, in 2011 Alexander was appointed coach of the National Team.

RUSSIAN WOMEN CHAMPIONSHIP

If the men’s championship was pretty bloody today, then the women’s championship was that and more! Former World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk (6 pts) finds herself a full point ahead of 2nd place Bodnaruk (5 pts). There are 3 players at 4.5 pts. Just 3 rounds to go, and all bets are on Kosteniuk.

The 32-year old Alexandra Kosteniuk has won virtually every title, national and international, that can be won. Either individual or team. If she wins this tournament, it will be the second time that she has won this prestigious honour.