27.11.2018

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov: Lagno wasn’t lucky enough in the final of the Women's World Cup

The sixth FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov commented on how Russian Ekaterina Lagno played in the final of the Women's World Chess Championship in Khanty-Mansiysk.

“It is good that Khanty-Mansiysk authorities are focused not only on professional chess, but also support children's and amateur chess. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Women's World Championship was held there.

It was organized, as always, at a high level. I know that participants of the Championship are satisfied with food and accommodation, even though it’s cold there,” Ilyumzhinov said. “In the finals, we supported Katya Lagno - a talented chess player and top positional player.

However, it seems that the development of Chinese chess, in recent decades, proved to be influential. Their women's team won the Olympics and they became world champions. They have a very strong women’s school. Well, probably, Katya was a little unlucky.

On the one hand, “native walls help”, as they say. Katya played in Khanty-Mansiysk several times. But still she gave way to experienced Chinese woman, who was better preparedthat time. Although Lagno had every chance to win as, by the way, Sergey Karyakin had in a match for the world chess crown two years ago. After the eighth game against Magnus Carlsen, he could easily become a world champion. However, as the saying goes, God leaves nothing to chance. If Katya had a little more luck, she would have won the tournament,” the International Chess Club press service quoted Ilyumzhinov.

According to Kirsan Nikolayevich, reaching the final is an achievement for Lagno. Moreover, she achieved such a result in a difficult personal situation - quite recently she became a mother for the fourth time.

“I would like to congratulate her on new addition to the family. Moreover, it is still great that she became the World Vice-Champion. Well done, smart girl! Please accept my sincere congratulations,” Ilyumzhinov concluded.

Recall that Lagno lost to Chinese Ju Wenjun in the finals of the knock-out World Championship.