Koneru Humpy

Hatay, Dec 19: It was yet again disappointing moment for Koneru Humpy, as she successively second straight time lost against the 16 year old China’s Hou Yifan, in the semi-finals of the Women’s World Chess Championship. Desperately to win the second game after losing the first one, the Indian top rated star only managed to draw the second game. The final score was 1.5-0.5, in favour of Chinese young player. It was a must win situation for the Indian after losing the first round, but unfortunately she only have to bear with draw in the second game. Her final score was 0.5 compared to Yifan, who’s score was 1.5 at Hatay, on Saturday. Humpy will have prize money of $20,000, of which 20 percent will go to FIDE.

At the last Women’s World Championship, Humpy lost to same opponent Yifan at Nalchik. In the final, Yifan will meet the winner of Zhao Xue and Ruan Lufei match. The four game finals will begin on Monday. The semi final between Zhao Xue and Ruan Lufei went into a tie breaker. India’s other challenger Dronavalli Harika was also knocked out in the quarter finals against Ruan, who is also from China. The Women’s World Championship is 64 participants knock out tournament, where with two game mini matches taking players to next round, until the final and sixth round, which will be a four game final.

Humpy lost the first game against the German opponent in 79 moves. The game was carried for a very long time, as both the players exchanged all pieces and both of them were left with one bishop and seven pawns, each after only 28 moves. Yifan played very smartly and went a pawn up and then, Yifan sacrificed two pawns to help her other two pawns reach the seventh rank, after which Humpy gave up. In the second game mini match Humpy, who was with white, changed her plan and strategy and attacked. But Yifan counter attacked her and got a draw in 45 moves.

Tags: Chess, FIDE, GM, Grandmaster, India, Indian Sports, Koneru Humpy, Sports, Sports India, Women’s World Chess Championship