Top-seeded Koneru Humpy was shocked by Maria Muzychuk of Ukraine in the first game of the quarterfinals in the women’s World chess championship at Sochi, Russia, on Thursday.
It was the first loss in the tournament for the Indian, who had posted six wins in as many games. She needs to win the second game of the quarterfinal to stay in contention.
The other Indian, Dronavalli Harika, seeded 12th, was held to a draw by Georgia’s Meri Arabidze.
The results (quarterfinal, first game): Mariya Muzychuk (Ukr) bt Koneru Humpy (Ind); Natalia Pogonina (Rus) lost to Zhao Xue (Chn); Pia Cramling (Swe) drew with Anna Muzychuk (Ukr); Meri Arabidze (Geo) drew with Dronavalli Harika (Ind).
