Shock defeat for Harika

The top seed is beaten by Pole Jolanta Zawadzka

YEREVAN: Top seeded Women Grandmaster D Harika suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of Jolanta Zawadzka of Poland in the 11th round of the World Junior girls chess championship underway here on Monday.

The loss came as a real blow to Harika’s title hopes as the Indian was in sole lead after the previous round but is now sharing the top spot with Zawadzka and Vera Nebolsina of Russia on 8.5 points out of a possible 11.

With just two rounds remaining, it is going to be a close call for the championship according to the pundits of the game. All the three leaders are a full point clear of the field and they have played amongst themselves.

The player that wins the remaining two rounds will have the best winning chance and all three are capable of doing this.

In the boys’ championship being held simultaneously, there were glorious uncertainties even as Ivan Popov of Russia emerged as the sole leader with just two rounds remaining.

The Russian, with 8.5 points, was followed by Wang Hao of China, Georg Meier of Germany and Ahmed Adly of Egypt.

The Indian challenge for a medal in this section virtually came to an end as national junior champion Abhijeet Gupta misplayed a clearly superior position against Ahmed Adly.

Playing white, Abhijeet faced the Grunfeld defence and completely outplayed the Egyptian GM in the ensuing middle game. However, as the game progressed Abhijeet made a couple of errors and reached an equal endgame.

Interestingly, enough Adly offered Abhijeet a draw which was spurned down but the Indian eventually blundered in the rook and pawns endgame and lost.

Abhijeet remained on 7 points after the debacle. Giving him company on same points are his room mate G Rohit and World Youngest GM Parimarjan Negi who both scored fine victories over Armenian Hrant Melkumyan and So Wesley respectively.