SPOT ON CHESS PUZZLES: Steamroller Tokhirjonova!

Today's game: Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova (2350) versus Nazi Paikidze (2316)

In a Caro-Kan opening Begim allows IM/WGM Paikidze to set up an apparently solid position but then undermines it and shows it to be full of holes by the end of the game. WGM/IM Paikidze is no weakie having achieved her Women's Grandmaster title in 2010 and her International Master in 2012. An accomplished player who has previously won the US Women's Chess Championship in 2016 and the 2018 editions she has also had many other outstanding chess tournament performances over the course of her chess career. But so far in this edition of the US Women's Chess Championship it is a two woman show: Carissa Yip and Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova. Both of whom are just flattening the opposition - but have drawn each other. Now it becomes a question of who can maintain their concentration and maintain good energy over the last 4 rounds as we come into the home stretch! And there is still a Grandmaster out there in the field who, though trailing both the leaders can still inflict some damage upon the rest of the field and thus has an outside chance of catching up.

Thanks for watching - catch you all later on down the time line! ~ S.