6th Cairns Cup: Alice misses against Zhongyi

By admin August 15, 2026 0 comments

IM Alice Lee had a few great opportunities to beat GM Zhongyi Tan in Round 5 of 6th Cairns Cup 2026.

Five draws

IM Alice Lee (USA) got herself a few good chances in the endgame against the twelfth Women’s World Champion, GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN). However, she could not capitalize on them, allowing the sole leader to remain at the top 4/5. GM Divya Deshmukh and GM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) made a quick 19-move draw. GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) and IM Carissa Yip (USA) played an uneventful draw. GM R Vaishali and GM Humpy Koneru had a lukewarm draw. Bibisara, Divya, Stavroula and Alice are at 3/5 each. Today is the sole rest day. Round 6 starts tomorrow Sunday 16th August at 12 p.m. local time, 10:30 p.m. IST.

Alice – Zhongyi: 0.5-0.5

This is the only tournament where IM Alice Lee (USA, 2430) got an opportunity to play against the 16th Women’s World Champion, GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN, 2520). Zhongyi won their encounter in 2024, while last year they drew. This time, Alice had a great opportunity.

Position after 24…Nc4

White needed to play 25.Qc3 instead of Qd3 as Qc3 allows the knight to be free and go to g5 whereas 25.Qd3 b5 now Ng5 is not possible as Nxe5 threat is there. So the game continued 26.Rc5 Qb7 27.Ng5 Rd8 now 28.Nxe6! would have been an interesting sacrifice. White could have gotten three pawns for the knight and a vulnerable king. White once again gained the upperhand in the queen and knight endgame. However, Alice loosened the grip and allowed the oppponent to escape with a draw via perpetual check.

IM Alice Lee (USA) put GM Zhongyi Tan’s (CHN) sole lead in serious jeopardy | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club

GM Divya Deshmukh played a quick 19-move draw against GM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) | Photo: Crystal Fuller / Saint Louis Chess Club

GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI) ended her four-game losing streak with a draw against IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE) | Photo: Crystal Fuller / Saint Louis Chess Club

GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) – IM Carissa Yip (USA, pictured): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Crystal Fuller / Saint Louis Chess Club

GM R Vaishali – GM Humpy Koneru: 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Crystal Fuller / Saint Louis Chess Club

Round 5 in progress | Photo: Crystal Fuller / Saint Louis Chess Club

Replay live stream

Replay Round 5 live commentary by IMs Nazi Paikidze (USA) and Almira Skripchenko (FRA) | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Replay Round 5 games

Schedule and Format

There will be one round per day from 10th to 19th August. Rest day is on 15th August. Round 1 starts at 12 p.m. local time, 10:30 p.m. IST. It will be a 10-player Round Robin event. Time control will be 40 moves in 90 minutes + 30 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move no.1.