Chess

Speed chess: R. Vaishali storms into semifinal

In Friday’s semifinal of Women's Speed Chess, Chennai girl R. Vaishali will take on Anna Ushenina of Ukraine, who defeated Kateryna Lagno of Russia.

P.K. Ajith Kumar
Kozhikode 25 June, 2020 23:04 IST

R. Vaishali stormed into the semifinals of the first leg of the FIDE Chess.com Women’s Speed Chess with a crushing victory over Munkhzul Turmunkh of Mongolia.   -  M. Vedhan

P.K. Ajith Kumar
Kozhikode 25 June, 2020 23:04 IST

 

R. Vaishali stormed into the semifinals of the first leg of the FIDE Chess.com Women’s Speed Chess with a crushing victory over Munkhzul Turmunkh of Mongolia.

The Chennai girl won 7.5-3.5.

Following the shock exit of World rapid champion Koneru Humpy in the first round, the hope rests on Vaishali, who has come through the qualifiers route.

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In Friday’s semifinal, she will take on Anna Ushenina of Ukraine, who defeated Kateryna Lagno of Russia. In the other semifinal, which is an all-Russian affair, Alexander Kosteniuk will meet Valentina Gunina.

The results (quarterfinals): Kateryna Lagno (Rus) lost to Anna Ushenina (Ukr) 4-6; Alexander Kosteniuk (Rus) bt Le Thao Nguyen Pham (Vie) 7-3; Munkhzul Turmunkh (MGL) lost to R. Vaishali 3.5-7.5; Valentina Gunina (Rus) bt Ju Wenjun (Chn) 7.5-3.5.