Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hi everyone,
World chess champion Viswanathan Anand says Koneru Humpy must remain tactically alert for her upcoming challenge against Hou Yifan of China for the women's world chess title later this year.
Speaking to Indian newspaper The Times of India, he said Humpy had scored a fantastic win. She has been missing out a lot of these events. She came close in knockout format twice but couldn't finish it off.
"I was following the GP from the beginning and things were not going well for her initially. And once Danielian Elina ( Armenia) started doing well, it became worse for Humpy. She had to depend not only on her result but also on other results. But full credit to her for fighting it out, especially in the last two games."
Hi everyone,
World chess champion Viswanathan Anand says Koneru Humpy must remain tactically alert for her upcoming challenge against Hou Yifan of China for the women's world chess title later this year.
Speaking to Indian newspaper The Times of India, he said Humpy had scored a fantastic win. She has been missing out a lot of these events. She came close in knockout format twice but couldn't finish it off.
"I was following the GP from the beginning and things were not going well for her initially. And once Danielian Elina ( Armenia) started doing well, it became worse for Humpy. She had to depend not only on her result but also on other results. But full credit to her for fighting it out, especially in the last two games."
Here are the other questions Anand answered:
How do you see the evolving of Humpy as a super player among women?
She has managed to keep her high rating comfortably. But that big breakthrough was not happening. Now she gets an opportunity. India-China rivalry is good for chess. Having said that, Hou is a ridiculously talented girl.
What's the way to beat Hou?
Humpy has to be tactically much more alert. The initiative has to be converted into a point. She has to find a way to improve her technique. There is no point in outplaying someone if (she) can find an escape tactically. Hou is not a clear favourite as such. But she is dangerous.
You don't advocate the word revenge that strongly. But the match against Hou provides just that kind of opportunity for Humpy...
If revenge motivates you, go for it! But the main thing is to set your game in order. She has to train well and continue her good run in other events preceding the title match, the schedule of which is unclear.
Any comments on the problems between Humpy and AICF (Humpy had skipped the Olympiad and Asian Games recently)?
I would advice Humpy to forget everything. Just concentrate on the game.
Humpy reaching the title clash also happened in proximity to International Women's Day...
It adds a nice touch. Humpy reaching this far is a huge thing for women's chess in India.
How do you see the evolving of Humpy as a super player among women?
She has managed to keep her high rating comfortably. But that big breakthrough was not happening. Now she gets an opportunity. India-China rivalry is good for chess. Having said that, Hou is a ridiculously talented girl.
What's the way to beat Hou?
Humpy has to be tactically much more alert. The initiative has to be converted into a point. She has to find a way to improve her technique. There is no point in outplaying someone if (she) can find an escape tactically. Hou is not a clear favourite as such. But she is dangerous.
You don't advocate the word revenge that strongly. But the match against Hou provides just that kind of opportunity for Humpy...
If revenge motivates you, go for it! But the main thing is to set your game in order. She has to train well and continue her good run in other events preceding the title match, the schedule of which is unclear.
Any comments on the problems between Humpy and AICF (Humpy had skipped the Olympiad and Asian Games recently)?
I would advice Humpy to forget everything. Just concentrate on the game.
Humpy reaching the title clash also happened in proximity to International Women's Day...
It adds a nice touch. Humpy reaching this far is a huge thing for women's chess in India.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
Also see her personal blog at
Will it be third time lucky for Humpy?
ReplyDelete