Harika, Humpy Finish 1-2 In FIDE Grand Prix At Chengdu

Harika, Humpy Finish 1-2 In FIDE Grand Prix At Chengdu

By Arvind Aaron

In the final round, while leader Dronavalli Harika drew Russia’s Olga Girya, Koneru Humpy caught up on points defeating former world women’s champion Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria.

Harika and Humpy tied for the first place with seven points from eleven games in the 12-player event that concluded at Chengdu in China on July 14, 2016. The tie-break favoured Harika. Both players finished one point clear of the other rivals.

Harika’s biggest triumph since entering the semifinals of the World Women’s Chess Championship at Ukraine last year. She takes home Euro 10,000.

Harika played it safe in the final round despite having an extra pawn in an opposite colour bishop ending. She offered and got a draw despite having a three to one pawn majority on the queen side.

Humpy promoted a second queen and that crushed Stefanova in 65 moves in the final round.

Harika remained the only undefeated player of the meet and Humpy scored the most (five) wins of the competition. It is a huge achievement for the Indian duo.

Final placings (tie-break order): 1-2. D Harika, Koneru Humpy (both Ind) 7/11 each; 3-5. Ju Wenjun (Chn), A Stefanova (Bul), Anna Muzychuk (Ukr) 6 each; 6-8. Bela Khotenashvili (Geo), Zhao Xue (Chn), Mariya Mucychuk (Ukr) 5.5 each; 9-10. Lela Javakhishvili (Geo), Olga Girya (Rus) 5 each; 11 Tan Zhongyi (Chn) 4; 12 Pia Cramling (Swe) 3.5.