Kozhikode, Aug 18: In the first major upset of the 10th Asian women's chess championship, India's Harika Dronavalli beat second seed Zhao Xue of China, while top seed Koneru Humpy had to settle for a draw in the second round here today. Countering an English opening, Harika, playing black on the second board, sacrificed a pawn in the early stages which helped her launch an aggressive queen-rook attack on the white's king. Zhao Xue resigned in the 42nd move.
Playing on the top board, tournament favourite Humpy missed a fair chance against China's Xu Yuanyuan after an exchange of pawns on the 21st move gave her early advantage.
But she spoiled the good work by trying a similar tactic on the 27th move.
Though Yuanyuan enjoyed an advantage after a rook exchange in the 29th move, she too failed to capitalise on it as Humpy bounced back in the 44th through a bishop exchange.

The duo finally settled for a draw after 83 moves.

S Meenakshi gave a few anxious moments to third seed Wang Pin of China in the third board after adopting king's Indian defence against queen-pawn opening. The game end in a draw in 41 moves.
Bureau Report