FIDE World Women's Chess Cup: D Harika And R Vaishali Reach Pre-Quarterfinals
D Harika and R Vaishali advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the FIDE World Women's Chess Cup. Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh are also in the last 16, but Vantika Garewal exited.
Indian Grandmasters D Harika and R Vaishali advanced to the pre-quarterfinals by defeating Tsolakidou Stavroula of Greece and American Carissa Yip, respectively, in the tie-breaker of the FIDE World Women's Chess Cup on Monday.
Harika overwhelmed Stavroula's defence in the second set of tie-break games, which provide 10 minutes for both players. Vaishali excelled in the first set, decisively beating Yip.
With Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh already in the last 16, India now holds a 25% share of the final 16 positions.
However, Grandmaster Vantika Garewal exited the tournament after losing to Kateryna Lagno of Russia. Despite displaying grit and determination, Lagno's experience proved decisive.
Who Will Be Indian's Challenege?
The remaining 16 players are familiar rivals, but the competition will become fiercer with three spots available for the next women's Candidates' tournament, which will determine the challenger for reigning champion Wenjun Ju of China.
Harika maintained her usual high standard, capitalising on Stavroula's unforced errors. Vaishali, favoured in her match against Yip, did not disappoint her supporters.
The next round is crucial for the four remaining Indian players as it could bring them closer to the semifinals of this USD 691,250 prize money event.
Vantika, unfortunately, will return home, but her victory over former world champion Anna Ushenina of Ukraine will be remembered fondly. Despite her exit, she made a significant impression in the tournament.
Complete results after round: Antoaneta Stefanova (Bul) lost to Lei Tingjie (Chn) 0-2; Zhu Jiner (Chn) beat Aleksandra Maltsveskaya (Pol) 2-0; Irina Bulmaga (Rou) lost to Tan Zhongyi (Chn) 0.5-2.5; Koneru Humpy (Ind) beat Kulon Klaudia (Pol) 1.5-0.5; Anna Muzychuk (Ukr) lost to Yuxing Song (Chn) 1-1 .1-1, 0.5-1,5goes to tiebreak; Vantika Agrawal lost to Kateryna Lagno (Fid) 1-1, 1-1, 0.5-1,5;; Nana Dzagnidze (Geo) beat Valentina Gunina (Fid) 1-1 . 1-1. 2-0; Bella Khotenashvili (Geo) lost to Mariya Muzychuk (Ukr) 0-2; Dronavalli Harika (Ind) beat Tsolakidou Stavroula (Gre) 1-1, 1-1, 2-0; Carissa Yip (Usa) lost to R Vaishali (Ind) 1-1, 1-1, 0.5-1.5; Polina Shuvalova (Fid) lost to Lela Javakhashvili (Geo) 0.5-1.5; Teodora Injac (Srb) lost to Divya Deshmukh (Ind) 0.5-1,5; Kaliakhmet Elnaz (Kaz) lost to Umida Polonova (Uzb) 0.5-1.5-0.5; Meri Arabidze (Geo) lost to Alexandra Kosteniuk (Sui) 1-1, 0.5-1.5; Osmak Yuliia (Ukr) beat Lu Miaoyi (Chn) 1.5-0,5; Kamalidenova Meruert (Kaz) beat Anna Shukhman (FID) 1.5-0.5.
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