Wade Humpy wraps it up Indiau2019s world rapid champion Koneru wins second title in two months after draw against Harika; climbs to No. 2 spot chess St Louis ( USA): World rapid champion Koneru Humpy claimed her second title in the last two months by emerging triumphant at the Cairns Cup chess tournament following a draw against compatriot Dronavalli Harika in the ninth and final round here.
Humpy, who was crowned world champion in the last week of December 2019, finished the tournament with 6 points. The icing on the cake is that Humpy would be gaining five ELO rating points ( the basis for international rankings) and moving to No. 2 in the world list.
u201c I am very happy to have won such a strong tournament.
It also reminds me that winning the world rapid title was no flash in the pan,u201d said Humpy.
Humpy, 32, needed only a draw in the last round to at least tie for the first place and be in contention for the top prize. She secured the draw late on Sunday without much difficulty by playing a solid line of Four knights opening against Harika. Humpy received USD 45,000 for winning the title in what is considered one of the strongest tournaments ever. World champion Wenjun Ju finished second with 5.5 points after winning her final round game against Russiau2019s Alexandra Kosteniuk ( 5 points).
Kosteniuk ended fourth in the tournament. Harika finished tied fifth with 4.5 points.
Humpy said the toughest match in the event was against former world champion Alexandra Kosteniuk in the seventh round. u201c The match against Alexandra Kosteniuk, which was a long battle in the seventh round was the toughest.
It helped me keep my unbeaten record against her in five games,u201d she said.
She is now aiming to do well in the Grand Prix in Italy in May which is her next big event.
u201c The next big event is the Grand Prix in Italy this May and then I will be playing in the PSPB tournaments in India,u201d she added.
Humpy, who is leading the FIDE Womenu2019s Grand Prix Series right now, aims to qualify for the Candidates scheduled later this year. Humpy started with a win over American Carissa Yip, 16, but suffered a defeat in the second round to Mariya Muzychuk before bouncing back strongly.
PTI u2018 I am very happy to have won such a strong tournament. It also reminds me that winning the world rapid title was no flash in the panu2019 Koneru Humpy on the Cairns Cup win Dronavalli Harika Koneru Humpy made all the right moves in America. PIC/ Twitter
