Ju,Wenjun vs. Muzychuk,Anna - FIDE Women World Blitz 2024 1/2-1/2
In the FIDE Women World Blitz 2024 event on December 30, 2024, Ju Wenjun played a move b4 with white pieces against Anna Muzychuk with black pieces. This unusual pawn move can be interpreted in several ways: it does not allow for an equal trade of material and instead suggests a possible exchange of pawns, but it misses the opportunity to put pressure on Black's position by threatening to capture material. Furthermore, it does not reveal an attack on any piece, forcing Anna Muzychuk to respond with a move that will develop her piece rather than counter-attacking.
It is worth noting that this pawn move forces White's piece to be moved, which might limit its mobility and flexibility in the game. However, by playing b4, Ju Wenjun does not seize a winning tempo or create an opportunity for a favorable material exchange. Instead, she fails to escape potential attacks on her position, leaving herself vulnerable to counter-attacks from Black. This move can also be seen as developing a piece prematurely, without allowing it to fully participate in the game before making its debut.
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[Date "2024.12.30"]