(Image source from: thenewsminute.com)

Koneru Humpy who is addressed as the Grandmaster of India has inflicted a defeat on Valentina Gunina of Russia.

The Indian Grand master has defeated Valentina Gunina in the eighth round of the second Cairns Cup and has jumped into a sole lead with 5.5 points and a round to play.

Wenjun Ju who is a world champion has been stunned by Carissa Yip who is a 16- year old American in a 61- move game late on Saturday which took her to 3.5 points.

Another Indian in the field Dronvalli Harika was held to a draw for a third consecutive time by the former champion Mariya Muzychuk. It has been reported that she is now having four points and has joint fifth with Katernya Lagno.

Humpy is said to be meeting Harika in the final round along with the former in with a chance for claiming the top prize.

The Indian has opted for the Semi- Slav in the game played by Koneru Humpy and Valentina Gunina and has outplayed her rival in 35 moves and has recorded her fourth win in the tournament.

In the match between Carissa Yip and Wenjun Ju an attack on both flanks has been made by the young American in order to surprise Wenjun Ju who is the Chinese star. Although Yip has encounter for defeats in the start she has now bounced back with three wins.

Alexandra Kosteniuk of Russia who is a former world champion is with five points after winning over Nana Dzagnidze.

Katernya Lagno has been played out a draw by the local star Irina Krush in the other games during the day.

Summarizing the results, it can be noted as Carissa Yip of United States of America 3.5 winning over Wenjun Ju of China 4.5, Koneru Humpy of India 5.5 winning over Valentina Gunina of Russia, Mariya Muzychuk of Ukraine 4.5 in a draw with Dronvalli Harika of India, Nana Dzagnidze of Georgia 4 has lost lost to Alexandra Kosteniuk of Russia 5, Irina Krush of the United States of America 3 experienced a draw with Katernya Lagno of Russia 4.

By Shrithika Kushangi