The match between Antoaneta Stefanova and Harika Dronavalli was decided in classical chess. In the first game both players castled kingside, but White (Stefanova) found a way to launch a powerful attack on her opponent. Her own monarch also had to flee to the queenside. In the end, the Bulgarian grandmaster found an efficient tactical combination and made Harika resign to avoid getting checkmated. In the second game Antoaneta obtained three pawns for a piece with a commanding position. Harika succumbed to a draw, thus getting eliminated.

 

Harika was accompanied by her grandmother, while ther seconds were helping her via Skype

The duel between Ju Wenjun and Anna Ushenina was somewhat more hard-fought. In te first game Anna was putting pressure on her opponent, but at some point decided not to win an exchange for some reason and offered a draw. In the second game it was Ju Wenjun who offered a draw on move 18.

Ushenina won the first rapid game, but Ju Wenjun had good chances to defeat her in the second encounter. Alas for China, it didn't happen.
 

Ju Wenjun kept winning all her matches on tie-breaks, but not this time

So, Stefanova vs. Ushenina in the final. Antoaneta is known as a fantastic player when she is in a good form. Obviously, that is the situation we have now. At some point Anna was rated 2500+, but then her progress has seemingly come to an end, and she has been struggling to become part of the women's chess elite for the last few years. However, something has happened to her playing strength recently: she hasn't lost a game in the Ukrainian Championship, Chess Olympiad and World Championship (33 total). Her personal score against Stefanova is +1 =2 -0. The outcome of the match is unpredictable.
 

Antoaneta Stefanova won the WWCC in 2004, when for the first time since 1988 there were no Chinese players in the final. 8 years later history is being repeated - no Chinese players in the final, Stefanova is playing. Antoaneta's second at this event is GM Vladimir Georgiev, who is also working with Natalia Pogonina

As you can see from her dismaying face expression, Anna Ushenina is planning to capitalize on the chance of her lifetime and become the Women's World Chess Champion. She is being helped by the Ukrainian Champion Anton Korobov

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