Harika is World online champion

Dronavalli Harika won the inaugural World women’s online blitz chess championship, the final of which was held in Rome. The 24-year-old from Hyderabad, who was seeded third, finished with 13.5 points in the 18-round final.

The other Indian finalist, Padmini Rout, finished ninth. More than 300 players from 39 countries competed in the championship. The first round of the tournament was held back in June.

 

“It was indeed a different kind of experience, playing in an official online tournament conducted by FIDE,” Harika told Sportstar Live on Monday. “And yes, it is nice winning a World title.”

The standings: 1. D. Harika (Ind), 2. Nana Dzagnidze (Geo), 3. Alexandr Kosteniuk (Rus), 4. Valentina Gunina (Rus), 5. Olga Zimina (Ita), 6. Irina Vasilevich (Rus), 7. Sabina Faisor (USA), 8. Adriana Nikolova, 9. Padmini Rout (Ind), 10. Sofio Gvetadze (Geo).