Humpy eyes positive result in 3rd game of World C`ship

Tirana (Albania): On a high after recording back-to-back draws against defending champion Yifan Hou of China, Grandmaster Koneru Humpy will be looking forward to a positive result in the third game of the Women`s World Championship.

Humpy, the first Indian to compete in the women`s World Championship has so far done well to exert pressure on her opponent in the first two games. Contrary to popular expectations, Yifan is under considerable amount of pressure in the 10-game match. While the first game saw Yifan suffering a long time a drawn rook and pawns endgame, Humpy showcased her preparation to catch the Chinese by a surprise in the second game as well. Although the result was another draw, Humpy was on the offensive throughout the game and it means that the Chinese thinktank will have to devise new ways to tackle the Indian`s juggernaut after the first rest day. In the third game Humpy will again play with white in the 200000 Euros championship with 60 reserved for the winner. It will be another test of nerves for Yifan, who, like Humpy, has never played a long match like this. Many had expected Yifan to be on the driver`s seat given her young age and an envbiable record against Humpy. In the two mini-matches played between them before this, Yifan had won both with the latest being the semifinal of the last knockout World Championship in 2010. However, as is well know, in long matches it is the strategy to tackle your opponent that matters and not really the scores. With eight games still to go, Humpy, who is accompanied by Grandmaster Sandipan Chanda and her father here, can be optimistic about her chances but for that she will have to give her best. PTI