R Madhavan celebrates Gukesh D’s historic chess triumph
D Gukesh made history as the youngest-ever World Chess Champion, defeating China's Ding Liren in a thrilling finale. His composure and skill secured a 7.5-6.5 victory.
After three consecutive draws, Indian Grandmaster Harika Dronavalli bounced back with a win over CM Suleymanli Aydin of Azerbaijan in the seventh round of the Master’s tournament of the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, here.
The World No. 9 Indian, playing with white pieces, started the game on an attacking note and gained an advantage in the initial stages of the game.
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However, the 12-year-old lad from Azerbaijan put up a staunch fight to contain the attacking Indian, but couldn’t do so as Harika took the game away from him after 40 moves.
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“I got off to a great start and gained an advantage in the initial phases of the game but a few miscalculated moves from my end got me in a complicated position,” Harika said.
“Although when we were both were under the pressure of the clock and both kings were under attack, I outplayed him with a few strategies of my own,” she added.
After seven rounds in the nine-round Swiss tournament, Harika has amassed a total of four and a half points, courtesy three wins, three draws and just one loss. She has broken into the top-10 of the standings.
The ninth-placed Indian will take on GM Ivan Rozum from Russia in the eighth round of the tournament.
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