In the fifth game of the match World champion Hou Yifan had white pieces as in the previous game. The players continued with the same line they already played in the fourth game. White changed the variation first, choosing 12. cd. In the previous game Hou Yifan preferred 12. Nb3.

“White did not manage to get any advantage today”, - said the Chinese at the post-game press-conference, - “The game was equal and normal. The move 12. cd is a normal continuation, and I played by my home preparation until around the 16th move”.

Humpy Koneru commented on the game like this: “I did not expect her to play the variation with queen exchange, but I just kept on playing normally. I think we did not play anything new in this line”.

"Photos by Anastasiya Karlovich and Anna Burtasova with kind permission of FIDE”

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