MOSCOW, Sep 29 Russian Ekaterina Lagno played a draw with compatriot Alexandra Kosteniuk and became the winner of the first stage of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Grand Prix series, which takes place in Astana. The game of the last, 11th round, in which Lagno played with black pieces, ended on the 21st move. Aleksandra Goryachkina, who is in second place, tied with the representative of India, Rameshbaba Vaishali, and lost the chance to catch up with her compatriot. Another Russian, Polina Shuvalova, lost to the German Dinara Wagner. According to the results of the stage, Lahno scored 8 points without losing a single game. Second place went to Goryachkina (7.5 points). Kosteniuk finished fourth (6). Shuvalova is on the last, 12th line (4). The next stage of the FIDE Grand Prix will be held in Munich from 1 to 14 February. The two best female chess players in the series, which consists of four stages, will ensure their participation in the FIDE Candidates Tournament.
