Hou Yifan triumphs, lower positions for Harika, Humpy

Lopota, Georgia: World champion Hou Yifan of China Tuesday added another half point to her tally to take the fifth leg of the 2013-2014 FIDE women`s grand prix chess tournament, garnering 9 points out of a possible of 11.

Hou drew her 11th and last round with Elina Danielian from Armenia Tuesday, reports Xinhua. Another Chinese player, Ju Wenjun, and Danielian scored 7 points each from 11 rounds, but the Chinese finished runner-up thanks to her win over the Armenian in their match-off earlier. Georgian Nana Dzagnidze came fourth on 6.5 points, followed by Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria and Harika Dronavalli from India, both on 6 points. Dzagnidze drew her last round with Anna Muzychuk. Ukrainian had an advantage in the endgame, but eventually the Georgian managed to escape, while Harika and Stefanova agreed to a quick draw. Top-rated Indian Koneru Humpy lost in the 11th round to outsider Bela Khotenashvilli to finish with 5.5 points and share the 7-9 positions with her, Ukranian Anna Muzychuck and Russian Alexandra Kosteniuk. Harika won two rounds, drew eight and lost only one while Humpy won three, lost three and drew five rounds. Zhao Xue finished 10th, beating another outsider Nafisa Muminova in the last round. This season`s grand prix tournament closes with the sixth leg which is slated in August-September in Mongolia.