Four players were in the lead after seven rounds at the 18th European Individual Women’s Chess Championship 2017.
Nana Dzagnidze, Elina Danielan, Aleksandra Goryachkina and Daria Pustovoitova scored 5.5 points before the rest day in Riga.
The top clash of the 7th round between Goryachkina and Szagnidze finished in a draw, and this gave the chance for Danielian and Pustovoitova to emerge. Danielian defeated Olga Girya, while Pustovoitova celebrated the victory against Lela Javakhishvili with Black pieces.
Today is the rest day and the games will be continued on Wednesday, 19th April.
Standings after 7 rounds:
1-4 Dzagnidze, Goryachkina. Danielian and Pustovoitova 5.5 points
5-19 Zimina, M.Muzychuk, Lagno, A.Muzychuk, Atalik, Zhukova, Khotenashvili, Paehtz, Nechaeva, Socko, Hoang, Batsiashvili, Zawadzka, Vega and Kashlinskaya 5 points, etc.
Top pairings of the 8th round:
Dzagnidze vs Danielian, Pustovoitova vs Goryachkina, Zhukova vs A.Muzychuk, M.Muzychuk vs Zawadzka, Kashlinskaya vs Lagno, Batsiashvili vs Khotenashvili, Vega vs Socko, Hoang vs Atalik, Paehtz vs Nechaeva, Girya vs Zimina, etc.
The European Women’s Chess Championship is taking place at Radisson Blu Hotel Latvija in Riga, from 10th to 23rd April.
The players finishing in the first 14 places at the event will qualify for the next World Women Chess Championship.
Photos by Latvian Chess Federation