The fourth game of the Women's World Championship match between Hou Yifan and Humpy Koneru ended in a draw. The reigning champion was better throughout the game, but after five hours of play the Indian grandmaster saved the draw. The match takes place in in Tirana, Albania and is played over 10 classical games and a possible tiebreak.

Game 4 under way in Tirana, Albania | All photos © FIDE by Anna Burtasova & Anastasiya Karlovich

The first move in game 4 executed by the sponsor and President of the Albanian Chess Federation, Rezart Taci while FIDE Deputy President Georgios Makropoulos watches

In the fourth game of the match World champion Hou Yifan had the white pieces. As her opponent Humpy Koneru said at the post-game press conference, the Chinese got an edge and was pressing throughout the game. The Indian had to defend an unpleasant position.

In the deep endgame White managed to win a pawn, but there were not many sources left for a fight – both players had a rook and a knight. The challenger defended this endgame well, despite being short on time.

At 8pm the game finally finished.After 4 games World Champion Hou Yifan is leading with 2.5 points; Humpy Koneru has 1.5.

On the 19th of November the players have a rest day. On Sunday, November 20th Hou Yifan will have the white pieces again. The measure of changing the colors after the fourth game has the goal to prevent the same player having the white pieces after each of the rest days throughout the match because this might give her an advantage in preparation.

Game 4

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