Chinese underdog Tan Zhongyi upstaged a surprisingly passive D. Harika in the opening game of their semi-final clash in the Women world chess championship in Tehran on Thursday.
Playing black, Harika chose to be too defensive and Zhongyi seized the chance to launch a severe offensive on the castled king. Harika’s fortress was crushed and she gave up on the 44th move.
On Friday, fourth seed Harika faces a must-win situation with white pieces to stay alive in the competition.
In the other semi-final, second seed Anna Muzychuk played with black pieces and defeated third seeded former champion Alexandra Kosteniuk in 64 moves.
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