WGP India: Zhu Jiner and Humpy Set for Big Clash
The Women’s Grand Prix in Pune is heating up!
Both Zhu Jiner and Humpy Koneru won their games today, pulling ahead of the competition.
They’ll now face each other in Round 7, with Humpy playing White and needing a win to take the lead.
A Break in the Battle
After five intense days of chess, players, arbiters, and organizers enjoyed a well-deserved rest day in Pune.
They visited the Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple and the Shaniwarwada Fort, both iconic spots in the city.
Later, they went to one of Pune’s largest malls for some shopping and refreshments.
Round 6 Games Recap
🔹 Harika Dronavalli ½ – ½ Divya Deshmukh
Team India teammates Harika and Divya drew their game early.
They followed a known line in the English Opening.
Harika chose to repeat the position and lock in a solid draw before move 30.
🔹 Munguntuul Batkhuyag 0 – 1 Humpy Koneru
Humpy played brilliantly in the Two Knights Defence, using the sharp Ulvestad Variation.
She surprised Munguntuul and launched a powerful attack.
Even with the Black pieces, Humpy dominated and grabbed a crucial win.
In her post-game chat, she shared:
I just wanted to try whatever I could. I was happy when I saw this position on the board.
🔹 Zhu Jiner 1 – 0 Vaishali Rameshbabu
Zhu Jiner kept her top spot with another big win, this time over Vaishali.
She played the Sicilian Rossolimo Attack, while Vaishali went for an aggressive counterattack.
But one big blunder changed it all —
Vaishali played 26…Nxc2??, missing a chance to defend with 26…Rh6!
Zhu pounced and secured her fourth win of the event.
🔹 Salome Melia 0 – 1 Polina Shuvalova
Shuvalova scored her second victory by beating Salome Melia.
Melia opened well with the Delayed Alapin, but a misstep on move 19 cost her the advantage.
Shuvalova then showed textbook play to capitalize on the mistake.
🔹 Alina Kashlinskaya ½ – ½ Nurgyul Salimova
This draw was anything but boring!
The game began as a Petroff Defence, then exploded into wild tactics and chances on both sides.
Kashlinskaya blundered with 21.Rg1?, dropping a pawn.
Later, Salimova had a huge +35.7 advantage but couldn’t convert.
The game finally ended in a perpetual check after 67 intense moves.
Upcoming Round 7 – Monday, April 21
Here’s what to look forward to in Round 7 of the 2024/25 Women’s Grand Prix:
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Nurgyul Salimova vs Salome Melia
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Vaishali Rameshbabu vs Alina Kashlinskaya
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Humpy Koneru vs Zhu Jiner 🔥
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Divya Deshmukh vs Munguntuul Batkhuyag
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Polina Shuvalova vs Harika Dronavalli
Games begin at 3:00 PM CET in Pune.
Follow the action live on FIDE’s YouTube channel with expert commentary.
Side Event Spotlight
Don’t miss the Maharashtra International Grandmaster Chess Tournament, held nearby at Amanora Mall.
This 9-round open event features 500+ players including stars like:
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GM Abhijeet Gupta
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GM Karen Grigoryan
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GM Manuel Petrosyan
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GM Levan Pantsulaia
Photos: Abhilash Shinde, FIDE_chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
