Game Of the Week: IM Valentina Gunina vs. WGM Ju Wenjun

IM Valentina Gunina vs. WGM Ju Wenjun

Opening: A42: Modern Defence, Averbakh System also Wade Defence

Player(s): Gunina, Wenjun

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 Russian team went into the Women's World Team Championship in Kazakhstan at less than full strength. The Kosintseva sisters, Nadezhda and Tatiana, refused to participate in further team events as long as Sergei Rublevsky remained as the coach.

The incident has sparked a debate on the issues, with even U.S. star Gata Kamsky publicly weighing in, about the rights of team players, coaches, and federations. In the U.S., players have always had input into the coach selection. In Russia, officials are claiming that subsidies provided to national team members like the Kosintsevas should compel them to play no matter who the coach is. There is a certain kind of paternalism involved in women's chess as well. One wonders if in the future countries will give women the opportunity to coach teams, much like we've seen with sports in America.
In the early going Russia managed well enough, with Valentina Gunina 'womaning' board one. In round four she went up against Ju Wenjun, heading a likewise shorthanded Chinese team, missing, most notably, Hou Yifan. The game seemed to move along quietly under a sudden major error permitted a tactical shot that reverberated right to the conclusion.