Cairns Cup: Humpy beats Kosteniuk, shares joint lead with Ju Wenjun

With four points in her kitty, Koneru Humpy shares the lead with Wenjun Ju. Dronavalli Harika, on the other hand, is on three points after six rounds.

Humpy, played against the experienced Kosteniuk and took advantage of a mistake on the 50th move to record her second win in the tournament.(File Photo)

India’s Koneru Humpy defeated former world champion Alexandra Kosteniuk of Russia in 61 moves in the sixth round of the Cairns Cup chess tournament in St. Louis to move into joint lead with Chinese ace Ju Wenjun.

Dronavalli Harika, the other Indian in the fray, shared points with world champion Wenjun 40 moves on Thursday.

With four points in her kitty, Humpy shares the lead with Wenjun.. Harika, on the other hand, is on three points after six rounds and is in joint third spot with two other players.

Humpy, the reigning world rapid champion and the country’s number one, played the Nimzo-Indian against the experienced Kosteniuk and took advantage of a mistake on the 50th move to record her second win in the tournament.

Harika, playing with black pieces, opted for King’s Indian and equalised rather easily against Wenjun..

American youngster Carissa Yip posted her second straight win after four losses, beating Valentina Gunina in the only other decisive game of the day.

In the seventh round, Humpy will take on American Irina Krush while Harika is up against Yip.

Results after Round 6: Koneru Humpy (IND, 4) beat Alexndra Kosteniuk (RUS, 3.5)  Wenjun Ju (CHN, 4) drew with D Harika (IND, 3) Katernya Lagno (RUS, 3) drew with Nana Dzagnidze (GRG, 3.5)  Mariya Muzychuk (UKR, 3) drew Irina Krush (USA, 2)  Carissa Yip (USA, 3) beat Valentina Gunina (RUS, 2)