Led by Koneru Humpy's brilliant victory on the top board, Indian women held a formidable China to a creditable 2-2 draw in the second round of the World Women's Team Chess Championship here today.
Humpy's victory helped Indian women shrug off their first round defeat at the hands of minnows Kazakhstan.
It would have been even better if only Padimi Rout had scored a victory from a better position against Shan Yang or Mary Ann Gomes had salvaged what was a perfectly defendable position against Lei Tingjie on the last board.
On the second board, D Harika played an effortless draw as black against Tan Zhongyi.
The Indians also opened their account in the process and got one point. It was a tough draw for the Indian women here as they are slated to meet top seed Ukraine next before taking on the Olympiad winners Russians in the fourth round.
Humpy just proved what her presence can do to the team. It was a victory that the Indian will cherish for a long time coming under trying circumstances.
The Queen pawn opening gave an easy game to Wenjun early on but Humpy tightened the noose in the middle game and calculated perfectly to craft the downfall of the Chinese opponent. Eventually Wenjun ran out of time.
Harika had it easy on the second board as black against Zhongyi and favoured a move played by V Anan dint he past to equalise rather comfortably. The ensuing rooks and pawns endgame was no problem.
Padmini Rout missed her chances against Shen Yang when she overlooked a tactical stroke in the middle game that would have netted her a pawn and the game in due course. Instead, the path chosen by the Odisha girl led to a draw.
