India’s Grand Master Harika Dronavalli had to go through unchartered territory to earn half a point and a well deserved draw against Camling Pia of Sweden in the Fide Women’s Grand Prix here on Thursday.
Harika Dronavalli(left) playing against Pia Cramling on Thrusday at Chengdu FIDE Women’s Grand Prix
The young Hyderabadi had to fall back on the defensive as the game got complicated and agreed for a draw after 31 moves. Harika slipped to the third position with the draw after five games with 3.5 points.
“My opponent surprised me in the opening. I was faced with a variation that I hadn’t played before. I could not get much out of the situation and had to settle for a draw,” Harika said.
India’s other Grand Master Koneru Humpy also played out a draw against Javakhishvili Lela of Georgia. Harika will be playing against World No. 5 Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine tomorrow.