Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy placed second after day one

The 32-year-old Indian, who won the Rapid title on Saturday, started the two-day blitz competition by winning her first five rounds to share the top position at one stage. Humpy drew the next two games before winning against Monika Sacko in the eighth. She, however, lost to leader Katerina Lagno of Russia in a dramatic battle in the final round of the opening day. Katerina showed great determination to defend her 2018 title as she scored eight points out of nine to grab the top position.

Lagno was chased by four players -- Alexandra Kosteniuk, Koneru, Daria Charochkina, and Alina Kashlinskaya -- all on seven points. Humpy had claimed the World Women’s Rapid Chess Championship title after drawing the Armageddon game against Lei Tingjie of China hereon Saturday.