Harika in quarters

Grandmaster D Harika marched her way to the last-eight stage of the World Women’s chess championship after disposing a challenge from Lela Javakhishvili of Georgia in the second game of the third round.

After drawing the first game easily with black, Harika played to her strength and outwitted Javakhishvili. The 1.5-0.5 victory also helped Harika gained some rating points apart from more assured prize money.

After the exit of top three seeds, fourth seed Zhao Xue of China also made it to the quarters following a victory over Mariya Muzychuk of Ukraine.

Like Harika, Xue had also drawn the first game as black and a victory ensured her passage to the next round. Harika and Xue will meet in the next round.

The championship this year is played on a knockout basis and highest rated Koneru Humpy, defending champion Yifan Hou of China and third seed Anna Muzychuk of Slovenia were ousted in the second round itself.

While Humpy is out, Harika has kept herself in contention with the way she has conducted her games thus far.