6th Cairns Cup: Alice too sharp for Humpy

By admin August 17, 2026 0 comments

IM Alice Lee capitalized on her chance against GM Humpy Koneru in Round 6 of 6th Cairns Cup 2026.

Divya and Vaishali draw against Stavroula and Anna

IM Alice Lee (USA) scored a big win over GM Humpy Koneru. It could have gone either way, yet the teenager showed her tactical alertness by seizing her opportunity as her opponent could not capitalize on hers. IM Carissa Yip (USA) also found a great opportunity against the reigning three-time World Blitz Women’s champion, GM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ). However, she could not make the most out of it and the game ended in a draw. GM Divya Deshmukh and GM R Vaishali drew their respective games against IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE) and GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR).

GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) maintains her sole lead 4.5/6. Alice moved to the sole second spot 4/6, followed by Bibisara, Divya and Stavroula at 3.5/6 each.

Humpy – Alice: 0-1

Last year, GM Humpy Koneru (2524) faced IM Alice Lee (USA, 2430) for the first time in a Classical rated game at the very same event. It had ended in a draw. This time, the result in favor of Alice who displayed her tactical alertness. The equilibrium of the position swung in favor of the teenager very fast after her opponent played an inaccuracy.

Position after 30.Qg4??

Black found the correct continuation 30…Nf2+! 31.Rxf2 Qxd5+ bringing the queen in the action first 32.Rf3 Rxe1+ 33.Kg2 Rc2+ bringing more pieces to join the attack 34.Kh3 g6 35.Be3 Rc7 it is very important to thwart all of your opponent’s threats while attacking. 36.Qg3 Nc4 37.Bg5 Ne5 38.Rf2 gxf5 39.Bd8+ Ng4 and it’s over.

It could have gone either way, IM Alice Lee (USA) made the most out of her opportunity against the legend – GM Humpy Koneru | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club

GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) – GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club

IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE) – GM Divya Deshmukh: 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club

IM Carissa Yip (USA) could not make the most out of her chance against GM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club

GM Alexander Onischuk (USA), Deputy Executive Director, Grand Chess Tour, sounded the bell to signal the start of Round 6 | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club

Round 6 in progress | Photo: Crystal Fuller / Saint Louis Chess Club

Interview with Dr. Jeanne Cairns | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Replay live stream

Replay Round 6 live commentary by IMs Nazi Paikidze (USA) and Almira Skripchenko (FRA) | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Replay Round 6 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.