Before the last round of FIDE Women Grand Prix in Kazan three players are on top. Viktorija Cmilyte won against Nadezhda Kosintseva  and replaced Elina Danielian, who was defeated by Alisa Galliamova. Elina chose to go into a sharp position in the middle game but missed intersting opportunity on 19th move and her position became worse. Russian player Alisa Galliamova, who lost four previous games, played precisely today, neutralized all threats of her opponent and left with extra material.   Other leaders Anna Muzychuk and Humpy Koneru made draws against Hou Yifan and Alexandra Kosteniuk accordingly and share first place with Viktorija Cmilyte with 6.5 points. Tatiana Kosintseva could score today playing with white against Antoaneta Stefanova but missed her chances in the time troubles.

Round 11 starts at 1 p.m. local time,

FIDE Women Grand Prix 2011-12 is very long: there are 11 tours in each stage. Are there another long competitions in FIDE Calendar?

Alisa Galliamova: There are much fewer long tournaments now, than it used to be several years ago. One of them is the World Championship, which stands pretty long for the one doing well and qualifying to the finals. The tournament is very exhausting. When you are supposed to play the decisive games, you are already far too out of your shape.

Elina Danielian: - I agree, the round robin tournaments are very exhausting. There are days-off of course, but the second day-off was personallt for me not good at all. (Corr. – Elina Danielian lost two games in a row after the day-off).

And what about the rule, according to which one can’t offer draws? Does it make your life here more complicated?

Alisa Galliamova: - It has no bad impact on me (smiling). I had almost had no opportunities to offer a draw.

Elina Danelian: - I like neither offering nor accepting draws.

Betul Yildiz shared points with Katerina Lahno on the 35th move.

Are you tired, ladies?

Betul Yildiz: I am indeed! The tournament is tough, and all opponents here are very strong!

Katerina Lahno: So am I. The distance is pretty long.

The question to Katerina: have you watched EURO-2012 Ukraine – England match, and which team did you support more in Ukraine – France (Corr. – Katerina’s husband is a French reporter)?

Katerina Lahno: I am not likely to support France. It happened so, that both Ukraine and Russia have elapsed from the tournament, so now I will be for Spain, and I hope there will be no bad surprises.  

I watched Ukraine – England of course, and I’m certain, that Ukraine played much better and deserved the win. Referees didn’t count the goal. What can one do about it now? I saw it had been scored! Everything seemed to be against us, and even against me. You know, I was supposed to come to the stadium to watch the match, and was to miss it coming to Kazan tournament.   

Humpy Koneru shared points with Alexandra Kosnenyuk on the 43rd move. 2 moves more took  Viktorija Cmilyte to seal her draw with Nadezhda Kosintseva.

What are your impressions from the tournament?  

Nadezhda Kosintseva: - It was complicated and long indeed! All games were very emotional and one should display one’s best to secures wins.