Batumi, July 11 (HS): Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy advanced to the third round of the FIDE Women’s World Cup after defeating Uzbekistan’s Afruzha Khamdamova with a draw, finishing 1.5-0.5. D. Harika secured her position in the final 32 by overcoming compatriot P. V. Nandhidha. Hampy opted for a draw to save energy, while Harika employed an aggressive strategy to win against Nandhidha, who made a strong effort to secure victory. This outcome eliminated Nandhidha, following Kiran Manisha Mohanty’s exit earlier. R. Vaishali progressed by besting Canada’s Maili-Jade Ouellet 2-0, and Divya Deshmukh won against Georgia’s Kesaria Mgeladze 1.5-0.5. K. Priyanka reached the tiebreaks after two draws with Poland’s Kulon Claudia, though Vantika Agrawal’s day ended disappointingly after a loss followed her first-round victory over ex-champion Anna Ushenina.
Round 2 results
Koneru Humpy (India) drew with Afruza Khamdamova (Uzbekistan) – 1.5-0.5
Dronavalli Harika (India) beat P. V. Nandhidhaa (India) – 2-0
R Vaishali (India) beat Maili-Jade Ouellet (Canada) – 2-0
Divya Deshmukh (India) beat Kesaria Mgeladze (Georgia) – 1.5-0.5
Vantika Agrawal (India) drew with Anna Ushenina (Ukraine) – 1-1 (to tiebreak)
K Priyanka (India) drew with Klaudia Kulon (Poland) – 1-1 (to tiebreak)
Padmini Rout (India) drew with Alexandra Kosteniuk (Switzerland) – 1-1 (to tiebreak)
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
