Speed chess: R. Vaishali storms into semifinal

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.