Press Trust of India, India
Sept 5 2008

Humpy held by Trang, Harika draws with Mkrtchian

By Our Chess Correspondent

Nalchik (Russia), Sept 5 (PTI) Grandmaster Koneru Humpy played out an
easy draw with black against Hoang Thanh Trang of Hungary in the first
game of the pre-quarter finals of the World Women’s Chess Championship
here.

Coming in to the round of 16 following a rest after she received a bye
in the second round, the top-rated Indian did not have to stress
herself after an insipid show by Trang, who was apparently happy with
the result.

It was a Trompowsky opening by Trang that led to a level position soon
after the opening and pieces got traded at regular intervals.

The queens got off the board on move 17 and thereafter there was
little doubt about the outcome of the game. Further exchanges ensued
in quick time before the players reached a rook and pawns endgame. The
peace was signed after 31 moves.

The other Indian in fray, junior girls’ world champion D Harika drew
her third-round game with Lilit Mkrtchian of Armenia.

Mkrtchian survived a scare after running short of time in the first
time control out of a queen pawn opening and lost a pawn to reach a
difficult endgame.

Harika kept pushing hard with her extra pawn but the Armenian
determinedly held on to split the point after 83 moves.

After the game Mkrtchian confessed that she had mixed up her colours
and had assumed herself to be white in the first game. Considering
this, it was a good result for the Armenian player. PTI