Women's World Championship: Ju Wenjun Misses a Chance to Equalize the Final Match
Ju Wenjun came very close to winning in game 3 of the final match against Kateryna Lagno, and probably should have won it. (Her last best chance was 48.Rb7!) Lagno won game 2 to take the lead in this four-game match, and in this, her final game with Black, did what practically no one would recommend for anyone to do in that case: she played the King's Indian. It's a playable opening to be sure, but not one that bespeaks solidity. But more important than playing solid openings is playing the sorts of openings one feels comfortable with. Nevertheless, White had plenty of chances, was soon better, and was very close to obtaining a win.
But no luck, and now Ju will have to win the final game with Black to force tiebreaks. If she doesn't succeed, her reign as champion will end, and Lagno will win the women's championship title for the first time in her career.
Tournament website here.
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