Game Of the Week: IM Anna Ushenina vs. GM Antonaeta Stefanova

IM Anna Ushenina vs. GM Antonaeta Stefanova

Opening: D15: QGD: Slav 4Nc3

Player(s): Ushenina, Stefanova

Three-time U.S. Champion GM Joel Benjamin brings you a new show every Friday at 15:00 Server Time. Joel is regarded by many as one of the best commentators and analysts' we have in the game today -- so if you want to get ahead of the game, get ready to tune-in!

The Women's World Championship was contested in a knockout format, and as often happens in a large event, surprises occurred. Big favorites Hou Yifan, Humpy Koneru, and Anna Muzychuk were all knocked out early, opening the door for an outsider. In the end it was 27-year old Ukrainian Anna Ushenina taking the title over former World Champion Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria.

It went down to the rapid tiebreak in the final, with Ushenina triumphing in a long, technical struggle. This was in great contrast to her early victories, where Ushenina showed herself to be at home in complications. The third match game of the final might have been decisive if Ushenina could have held a draw in the next one. Nevertheless, it shows the power chess the new champion displayed in Khanty-Mansiysk. Let's see how it went with our GM Joel!