By Arvind Aaron
Dronavalli Harika entered the last eight of the World Women’s Chess Championship at Tehran on Feb 19, 2017. Harika who got past Sopiko Guramishvili 1-1, 1-1, 1½-½ faces another Georgian in Nana Dzagnidze. The last eight comprises of 4 Asians and four Europeans. Ju Wenjun takes on Tan Zhongyi, Anna Muzychuk v Stefanova Antoaneta, Alexandra Kosteniuk v Ni Shiqun.
Tan Zhongyi overcame Padmini Rout 1-1, 1-1 and 1½-½. Padmini came from behind to level rapid scores but exited in the next tie-break pair of games. Three rounds are completed and 32, 16 and 8 players have left Iran. Just eight players remain for the quarters, semis and finals.