Press Trust of India
Chengdu (China), July 9: India’s Grandmaster Harika Dronavalli recaptured the pole position in the Fide Women’s Grand Prix, outwitting her compatriot Koneru Humpy after a long and gruelling battle, here Saturday.
The highly-watched game dragged on into the evening, well after all other games had finished, lasting five hours. World No. 3 Humpy had no option but to concede defeat after 74 moves.
Harika is now sitting pretty on five points. Three players, including Humpy, are right behind her though, trailing by just half-a-point.
The young Hyderabadi was obviously thrilled with the victory despite the drain. “I got into a good position at the opening itself. I could either go for a win or settle for a draw at that stage,” Harika said after her match.
“I think I surprised her by opting for the former. I kept on pressing my advantage until I saw a winning end. I converted it to take home this point,” she added.
Harika agreed that her contests with Koneru always get extra attention but she insisted that there was nothing but healthy competition between the two.
“She is a great player and it’s always a pleasure to play against her. We are two different individuals and instead of comparing us people should simply appreciate all that we are achieving,” pointed out Harika.
Harika next faces Stefanova Antoaneta of Bulgaria Sunday while Koneru will take on former World No. 1 Pia Cramling of Sweden.