Ju Wenjun builds a lead

Ju Wenjun vs Tan Zhongyi

Women’s world championship · 2018 · 1-0

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0 / 53 half-moves

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The story behind the moves

A masterpiece, move by move

Ju’s third-game victory in the 2018 match is a compact example of activity on the d-file and an exposed king.

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17. Rd4

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Lift the rook. The rook steps to d4, where it can double with the other rook on the d-file. Black’s king is still in the center.

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23. Rd6

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Penetrate on the sixth rank. The rook reaches d6 and attacks the pawn on c6. After the knights are exchanged, White can capture that pawn with the rook.

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27. Qd4+

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Check on the open file. The queen checks the king along the d-file. White’s rook on c6 protects c7 and d6, restricting the king’s escape squares while White’s queen stays active in the center.