 "Koneru Humpy advances to the semi-final of the FIDE Women's World Cup. @FIDE_chess")
Grandmaster Koneru Humpy created history on Sunday as she became the first-ever Indian to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup. Humpy reached the milestone by holding International Master Yuxin Song of China to a draw in their second Classical game.
The 38-year-old Humpy had won the first Classical round with white pieces and needed just a draw in the second game of the quarter-final to advance, which she achieved after a closely contested battle.
Song was not on song against Humpy
Yuxin Song had to win to stay in the hunt against Humpy and her preferred choice was Jobava’s London, an opening that is fancied these days by many strong Grandmasters. Humpy equalised without much ado, but then sacrificed two pawns in tandem to give white some hopes.
However, Song’s pawn structure was really broken with three pawns standing on a sole file and Humpy found her counterplay in the centre. Recovering the pawns, Humpy was happy to lead the game to a level rook and pawns endgame. Song tried in vain for 53 moves before splitting the point.
With fourth place secured, Koneru Humpy has two opportunities to finish in the top three. Finishing in the top three will guarantee her a spot in the next Women’s Candidates’ tournament.
All-Indian affair ends in a draw
The all-Indian affair between GM D Harika and IM Divya Deshmukh ended in a draw, which means they will now square off in the tiebreaker, which is scheduled to be held on Monday.
Harika tried safely with white and like the previous game the players reached a drawn rook and pawns endgame. Interestingly, this is the only match that goes into tie-break games of shorter duration, which also means that there will be two Indians in the semifinals.
End of the road for Vaishali
As for Vaishali, she suffered a loss to former Women’s champion Zhongyi Tan of China. Vaishali took her chances in the middle game and got the dynamic balance she was looking for. However, resourceful as she is, Tan capitalised on an unforced error to gain the upper hand.
Vaishali again got some chances according to the computer, but it was always a tall order to find all the correct moves. It will be a tough loss for her, as she was in a slightly better position for most of the game.
Vaishali had drawn the first game against Tan and had lost the second, which means her campaign in the FIDE Women’s World Cup has come to a sad end.
(With inputs from PTI)