Humpy Helps India Hold China

Humpy Helps India Hold China

By Arvind Aaron

India held four time Olympiad champions China to a creditable 2-2 draw in the second round of the World Women’s Team Chess Championship at Chengdu on April 20, 2015.

Koneru Humpy put India ahead in the top board beating Ju Wenjun and the hosts equalised via Lei Tingjie’s win in the fourth board against Mary Ann Gomes.

It was a close contest with Indians higher rated in the top two boards and the Chinese higher rated in the bottom boards. Humpy won with white, Harika drew with black, Padmini Rout drew with white and Mary Ann lost with black. This is India’s best score against the Chinese in women.

Top rated Russia are without a victory after two rounds, World champion Mariya Muzychuk ensured that Ukraine registered their first win with a thumping 3.5-0.5 win over Kazakhstan. Seven rounds remain to be played.

The results (round two): India (1) drew with China (3) 2-2; Russia (2) drew with Armenia (1) 2-2; Egypt (0) lost to Georgia (3) 0-4; Poland (3) drew with USA (3) 2-2; Kazakhstan (2) lost to Ukraine (2) 0.5-3.5.