India’s Grand Master Harika Dronavalli had to endure a long and complicated game against World No. 5 Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine on Friday to earn a critical draw and another half point in the Fide Women’s Grand Prix in Chengdu.
She is tied at number two with Ju Wenjun (China) and Stefanova Antoaneta (Bulgaria) at 4 points at the halfway stage. India’s Koneru Humpy is leading the table with 4.5 points.
Harika blundered on the twentieth move but got away with it as Anna too made a critical mistake immediately after. She quickly equalized the position and fought tooth and nail for 30 moves to ensure the draw.
“Today’s game was very interesting. We both played a long theory and got into a very complicated position. I made one bad move but somehow managed to retrieve the situation,” said Harika.
Harika will take on Humpy on Saturday in what promises to be an exciting tussle.