FIDE Women’s Grand Prix: Humpy, Zhu Jiner joint-top going into final round

After her loss to Koneru Humpy, Zhu Jiner showed her resilience and class to post a much-needed win that has rekindled her hopes of getting the top prize at the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix in Pune.

The second seed from China, however, has Humpy for company at the top of the table going into Wednesday’s final round.

The top-seeded Indian was a bit lucky, though, against Alina Kashlinskaya. Just when it seemed the fourth seed from Poland would finally be able to have something to cheer about after going through some harrowing time here, she blundered from what looked like a winning position. Humpy could heave a sigh of relief, and she now has six points.

Even after the devastating loss, Kashlinskaya was able to keep her humour intact. “It is better that all things are going badly in one tournament rather than in different ones throughout the year,” she said.

Nothing went badly for Zhu in her game against Divya Deshmukh, though, after the two women began the day in the joint second position. Even after the loss, Divya remains in second position, but one point behind the leaders.