Anatoly Karpov Rapid Int'l: Harika puts on spirited show

Indian grandmaster Harika Dronavalli drew with Grandmaster Cornette Matthieu and lost to Spanish Grandmaster Muzychuk Anna on the second day of the 14th Anatoly Karpov Rapid International Chess Tournament.

With a defensive strategy, Harika held off a strong challenge from the higher ranked Cornette Matthieu.

Indian grandmaster Harika Dronavalli produced a spirited performance on the second day of the 14th Anatoly Karpov Rapid International Chess Tournament here on Sunday.

World No. 5 Harika started the proceedings on a positive note against local favourite and Grandmaster Cornette Matthieu. Playing in the third game of the tournament, she took to a defensive strategy and held off a strong challenge from the higher ranked Matthieu with an ELO rating of 2599 to draw the tie.

The Indian, then, took on Spanish Grandmaster Muzychuk Anna in her fourth game.

She started on a good note but a few inaccurate moves saw the Spaniard with an ELO rating of 2561 take advantage in due course. Harika could not keep up with the pace of her opponent and she lost.