Women's World Championship, Day 4

Tan *almost* regains the lead.

It’s almost a theme match between the champion, Ju Wenjun, and her challenger (and predecessor) Tan Zhongyi. Normally, theme events are dedicated to a particular opening (often but not always something dubious), but this time the theme is endgames in which White is trying to win a queenside pawn and grind out a victory. This has happened in all four games, with two finishing in a draw and two with a White win.

This one was a draw, but not from any lack of effort by Tan and not because she, with White, failed to obtain serious winning chances. Perhaps she never had a clear win, but at least twice her advantage was at least nearly decisive while she enjoyed a clear plus off and on for serious chunks of the endgame. Tan didn’t have to suffer too much in game 1, but in the last three games both players have had a miserable time with Black.

Will that change in game 5, and will we see the players depart from the “theme”? We’ll see; for now, here’s game 4, with my comments.