Harika could have played on in the final position but chose to settle matters in the playoff tomorrow. In a sharp middlegame position, Skripchenko blundered a piece. Even though she fought valiantly to save the game, Zhao was simply too tough.
In the bottom draw, Koneru drew comfortably and moved on. Lahno after a bad loss in a equal position yesterday against Hou had to go all out today with the Black pieces to even up the score. Hou played well enough to hold to advance for a big showdown against Koneru.
Top draw
W: Harika, Dronavalli IND IM 2525 1/2 / 1/2 (match is tied at 1-1)
B: Ruan, Lufei CHN WGM 2480
W: Zhao, Xue CHN GM 2474 1/2 / 1-0 (Zhao will play the winner of Harika vs. Ruan match)
B: Skripchenko, Almira FRA IM 2460
Bottom Draw
W: Koneru, Humpy IND GM 2600 1-0 / 1/2 (Koneru will face Hou in the semifinal)
B: Ju, Wenjun CHN WGM 2524
W: Lahno, Kateryna UKR GM 2522
B: Hou, Yifan CHN GM 2591 0-1 / 1/2 (Hou will face Koneru in the semifinal)
It sucks that the top 2 players have to face each other in the semi. This is an outrage.
It sucks that the top 2 players have to face each other in the semi. This is an outrage.
Yes! it’s an ‘outrage’ that the top two players face each other in the semi’s. Surely the next WC is either Hou or Hump. Wonder which Chump came up with such a draw! I’d like Humpy to come through,but Hou has the edge.
As expected it has come to this farce again – number one vs two.
Koneru has the experience and hunger for the crown, whilst Yifan has youth (she is only 16 yrs)and drive. I think the champion will be the winner of this match.
Good luck to both.
The asian domination is a fact. Very disappointing for Russia, Ukraine and the rest of the world.
Well, congrats to the new champion whoever she is, I don’t care anymore
Asian showdown!!
Some people in this forum has already expressed that it will be quiet boring without any Europeans in the semifinal.
Silvio Danailov can now demand a reservation for Europe in the semifinal stage of a world championship to avoid such pathetic situations.
Harika will beat Hou/Humpy in the finals.
But AICF wants Hou! in the finals. Need not explain the reason.