FIDE World Women's Chess Cup: D Harika And R Vaishali Reach Pre-Quarterfinals
D Harika and R Vaishali advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the FIDE World Women's Chess Cup. Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh are also in the last 16, but Vantika Garewal exited.
Indian Grandmasters D Harika and R Vaishali advanced to the pre-quarterfinals by defeating Tsolakidou Stavroula of Greece and American Carissa Yip, respectively, in the tie-breaker of the FIDE World Women's Chess Cup on Monday.
Harika overwhelmed Stavroula's defence in the second set of tie-break games, which provide 10 minutes for both players. Vaishali excelled in the first set, decisively beating Yip.
With Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh already in the last 16, India now holds a 25% share of the final 16 positions.
However, Grandmaster Vantika Garewal exited the tournament after losing to Kateryna Lagno of Russia. Despite displaying grit and determination, Lagno's experience proved decisive.
Who Will Be Indian's Challenege?
The remaining 16 players are familiar rivals, but the competition will become fiercer with three spots available for the next women's Candidates' tournament, which will determine the challenger for reigning champion Wenjun Ju of China.
Harika maintained her usual high standard, capitalising on Stavroula's unforced errors. Vaishali, favoured in her match against Yip, did not disappoint her supporters.
The next round is crucial for the four remaining Indian players as it could bring them closer to the semifinals of this USD 691,250 prize money event.
Vantika, unfortunately, will return home, but her victory over former world champion Anna Ushenina of Ukraine will be remembered fondly. Despite her exit, she made a significant impression in the tournament.
Complete results after round: Antoaneta Stefanova (Bul) lost to Lei Tingjie (Chn) 0-2; Zhu Jiner (Chn) beat Aleksandra Maltsveskaya (Pol) 2-0; Irina Bulmaga (Rou) lost to Tan Zhongyi (Chn) 0.5-2.5; Koneru Humpy (Ind) beat Kulon Klaudia (Pol) 1.5-0.5; Anna Muzychuk (Ukr) lost to Yuxing Song (Chn) 1-1 .1-1, 0.5-1,5goes to tiebreak; Vantika Agrawal lost to Kateryna Lagno (Fid) 1-1, 1-1, 0.5-1,5;; Nana Dzagnidze (Geo) beat Valentina Gunina (Fid) 1-1 . 1-1. 2-0; Bella Khotenashvili (Geo) lost to Mariya Muzychuk (Ukr) 0-2; Dronavalli Harika (Ind) beat Tsolakidou Stavroula (Gre) 1-1, 1-1, 2-0; Carissa Yip (Usa) lost to R Vaishali (Ind) 1-1, 1-1, 0.5-1.5; Polina Shuvalova (Fid) lost to Lela Javakhashvili (Geo) 0.5-1.5; Teodora Injac (Srb) lost to Divya Deshmukh (Ind) 0.5-1,5; Kaliakhmet Elnaz (Kaz) lost to Umida Polonova (Uzb) 0.5-1.5-0.5; Meri Arabidze (Geo) lost to Alexandra Kosteniuk (Sui) 1-1, 0.5-1.5; Osmak Yuliia (Ukr) beat Lu Miaoyi (Chn) 1.5-0,5; Kamalidenova Meruert (Kaz) beat Anna Shukhman (FID) 1.5-0.5.
view comments
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
34 minutes ago
- News18
Yuzvendra Chahal Denies Dating RJ Mahvash: 'She Was Called A Homewrecker, Felt Terrible'
Last Updated: Opening up about his mental state post-divorce, Yuzvendra Chahal revealed he was deeply affected and unable to focus on cricket. Yuzvendra Chahal has finally broken his silence on the speculation surrounding his personal life, particularly his rumoured relationship with RJ Mahvash after his divorce from Dhanashree Verma. In a new interview, the cricketer not only clarified the nature of his bond with Mahvash but also shared the emotional turmoil he went through following the separation. Chahal firmly denied being in a relationship with anyone at present. 'No, there's nothing. People can think whatever they want to think," he told Raj Shamani on his podcast when asked if there's anything going on with Mahvash or anyone else. When asked about falling in love again, he admitted, 'It will take time to process. I need to gather myself. I'm not afraid to fall in love again, but I'm scared of losing the person because I get attached with all my heart." Opening up about his mental state post-divorce, Chahal revealed he was deeply affected and unable to focus on cricket. 'I was constantly thinking about the divorce. I was barely sleeping, maybe an hour or two a night. I felt like my life was spiraling out of control. I was exhausted, mentally and emotionally. That's when suicidal thoughts began creeping in," he said. The bowler even took a 45-day break from cricket to recover, admitting, 'Honestly, I wouldn't wish what I went through on even my worst enemies." Addressing the rumours linking him to RJ Mahvash, Chahal recounted how online speculation took a toll on both of them. 'For the first time, when I was seen with someone, people started linking us right away. Even she clarified it, but it was very hard for her. She was called a homewrecker… people said really nasty things. I felt terrible," he shared. Chahal said Mahvash had supported him during one of the darkest phases of his life, and he felt devastated to see her dragged into unnecessary controversies. ALSO READ | Yuzvendra Chahal Says He Was 'Faking' Marriage With Dhanashree Verma He also explained how a simple Christmas dinner with friends was blown out of proportion. 'We had a Christmas dinner with five people, but the photo was cropped to make it look like just the two of us were on a dinner date. It got to a point where we couldn't even go out with friends without worrying about what people would say." Another incident that bothered him was when they were seen together at a hotel before he left for the airport. 'She offered to drop me, and while we were waiting for the car, someone recorded a video. I was just fixing my hair, and people started saying all sorts of cheap things, like we were coming out of a hotel room. That really hurt me. It was very upsetting." First Published: August 01, 2025, 04:43 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Trump brings back Presidential Fitness Test for American school children
US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday (local time) via signing an executive order to reinstate the Presidential Fitness Test for American school children, a program originally launched in 1966 to promote active lifestyles amongst the youth. The initiative, which was reshaped in 2012 under the Obama administration to focus more on individual health metrics, will now return to its roots with an emphasis on physical performance. Trump signed the executive order to reinstate the Presidential Fitness Test in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL FITNESS TEST The fitness test will include classic components such as running, a one-mile run, sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups and sit-and-reach and flexibility assessments. Trump will also reinstate the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, led by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which will develop criteria for a new Presidential Fitness Award. TRUMP'S SPORTING AGENDA The move to revive the Presidential Fitness test aligns with Trump's long-standing interest in athletics, reflected in his frequent attendance at major sporting events and personal weekend golf routines. The announcement comes as the US prepares to host several global competitions, including the 2025 Ryder Cup, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Summer Olympics. 'This is an important step in our mission to make America healthy again,' Trump said from the Roosevelt Room of the White House. From the late 1950s until 2013, graduate scholars all across our country competed against each other in the Presidential Fitness Test, and it was a big deal. Furthermore, he said, "This was a wonderful tradition, and we're bringing it back.' According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the president aims to foster 'a culture of strength and excellence' amongst future generations. The ceremony at the White House featured several athletes, including Bryson DeChambeau, Harrison Butker, Annika Sorenstam, Paul 'Triple H' Levesque, and Lawrence REACTIONS ON TEST'S REVIVALWhile the revival of the Presidential Fitness test has sparked enthusiasm amongst some advocates of physical education, experts caution that standardised testing alone may not yield lasting health benefits. Laura Richardson, a kinesiology professor at the University of Michigan, emphasised the importance of pairing assessments with educational programs tailored to individual student needs. 'It's not just, you get a score and you're doomed,' Richardson said. 'But you get a score, and we can figure out a program that really helps the improvement.' The Health and Human Services (HHS) Department continues to promote a model that supports personal fitness goals over competitive benchmarks, underscoring the need for a balanced approach to youth wellness.- EndsWith inputs from AP
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Top seed Gauff rallies to reach WTA Montreal fourth round
World number two Coco Gauff battled through another tough three-setter Thursday, rallying from a set and a break down to beat Veronika Kudermetova and reach the fourth round of the WTA Canadian Open. Top seed Gauff rallies to reach WTA Montreal fourth round The top-seeded American, who won her second Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, again struggled with her serve but held her nerve for a 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 victory over former world number nine Kudermetova. "The goal of the game is to survive and advance," Gauff said. "It's not my best, but it was good enough for today and that's all I can ask for." Gauff arrived in Montreal having lost her tournament openers at Wimbledon and Berlin in the wake of her French Open triumph. She struggled mightily in her first match in Montreal but came up with a win over Danielle Collins despite 23 double faults. The numbers weren't quite as ugly against Kudermetova, but 14 double faults were damaging enough. Seven of them came in the first set, as Gauff let a 4-1 lead get away. She had three more double faults in the opening game of the second set to hand Kudermetova a service break, but broke back to level the set at 3-3 and broke Kudermetova to force a third, seizing a 2-0 lead and powering home from there. "I'm sure everybody could read my body language," said Gauff, whose frustration was clear. "But mentally I'm very proud of myself. There's obviously parts of my game to work on, one of that being the serve. "And the fact that I'm winning these matches not feeling my best is definitely something to be proud of." In other third-round action, American McCartney Kessler shocked world number five Mirra Andreeva, who got off to a strong start but couldn't hang on in a 7-6 , 6-4 loss. Andreeva, the 18-year-old Russian who electrified the WTA with back-to-back 1000 level wins this year, was playing her first tournament since a quarter-final run at Wimbledon and her first match of the week after a first-round bye and a second-round walkover. She jumped to a quick 3-1 lead, but Kessler twice regained a break and after Andreeva failed on two attempts to serve out the opening set the American won the last three points of the tiebreaker to pocket the set. Kessler seized the initiative in the second, breaking Andreeva twice on the way to a 4-1 lead. Making matters worse for the inconsistent Andreeva, she took a hard spill in the second set, taking a medical time out to have her left ankle bandaged in what could be a worrying sign with the US Open due to start on August 24. Kessler will fight for her first WTA 1000 quarter-final appearance against Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk, who beat Daria Kasatkina 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 . bb/acb This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
