Humpy Koneru won her second game in the Atatürk Women GP against Elina Danielian. Hou Yifan won against Zeinab Mamedyarova while Pia Cramling bounced back after her first round loss, against Betül Cemre Yıldız. Xue Zhao-Maia Chiburdanidze and Marie Sebag-Shan Yang were quietly drawn. Antoaneta Stefanova was close to win but had to settle with a draw in the end against Martha Fierro. Detailed report below.

The first round was played with many interesting game. Hou Yifan hold against Maia Chiburdanidze and avoided a second consecutive loss after Dresden. Humpy Koneru scored a crucial victory with black pieces against Pia Cramling. Local hero Betül Cemre Yıldız was close to producing the upset of the day but Antoaneta Stefanova escaped and managed to win. Martha Fierro was another player who ran through fear tunnel but win in the end against Zeinab Mamedyarova. Xue Zhao started well by converting the development advantage against her compatrot Shen Yang swiftly. Detailed report below.

The opening ceremony of the İş Bank FIDE Women GP was held on the 41st floor of İş Bank Tower with the presence of FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, TCF President Ali Nihat Yazıcı and İş Bank PR Director Suat Sözen. Among many distinguished guests including the participants, World Women's Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk and journalists, Mr.Ahmet Çalık, Owner of the Board of Turkuvaz Media Group (the second largest media group in Turkey including Sabah Newspaper and ATV) and Head of the Board of Çalık Conglomerate participated to the opening ceremony.


Further details with strong statements of FIDE President Ilyumzhinov, TCF President Yazıcı and İş Bank PR Director Suat Sözen below.

The corporate sponsor of the Turkish Chess Federation Turkish İş Bank is sponsoring the Atatürk International Masters for the second time but this time first event of the newly launched FIDE Women GP Cycle for 2009/2010. İş Bank, which had started the Turkish Chess revolution is not only an ordinary bank but also played an important role in the early years of the Turkish Republic. In modern Turkey, it is the most respected bank and one of the most important financial institutions in Turkey also a major contributor to the culture and sports.

Full history of Turkish İş Bank below.