Humpy, Harika Win 2 - 0
By Arvind Aaron
 

India's title hopes, World No.2 Koneru Humpy of Vijayawada and Dronavalli Harika of Guntur won their first round World Women's Championship matches with convincing 2-0 sweeps in Russia on August 30, 2008.

However, India did not have all good news from Russia as both National champion Tania Sachdev of Delhi and Nisha Mohota of Kolkata bowed out of the competition in the very first round itself.

Humpy beat the Egyptian opponent Alaa El Din in 19 moves with the white pieces from a Dutch defence. She pinned a rook with her bishop to win the game.

Harika faced more opposition from the previous World Junior girls' champion Nebolsina Vera to beat her in a long two bishops against bishop and knight ending. Harika won a pawn and never gave black the chance in a Grunfeld defence, Fianchetto variation.

Tania Sachdev was well placed with white until move 29 when her Chinese opponent spotted a long tactic. Tania missed a continuation on move 31 to lose 0.5-1.5 to Tan Zongyi.

Nisha Mohota was outplayed by N. Kosintseve of Russia after black won a pawn by attacking a knight and pawn at the same time. Nisha lost the series 0-2

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