Keep on learning new things

'Learning, an endless process'
HYDERABAD, July 26, 2011

Dronavalli Harika, who has emulated Koneru Humpy as the only Indian woman ever to win a Grandmaster title in the men's category, is now eagerly waiting for something special to happen.

“I am excited at the huge opportunity of Humpy becoming the world champion this year-end,” says the smiling chess player, who returned to the city from China on Monday.

“I am very keen on an Indian woman becoming a world champion. That has never happened. I will be thrilled if Humpy gets there,” she said, referring to the World championship title-clash between Hou Yifan of China and Humpy later this year.

“Professionally, I do have the feeling that I should achieve the big things first. But otherwise, I have no hassles. She is a great player, and, I have a very strong feeling that Humpy is just one step away from a world championship victory.”

The other dream — personal — which this young champion is chasing now is to be a member of the Indian team on the Chess Olympiad medal podium.

“Because of the strong and intense competition, it should be a major achievement in anybody's career,” she said.

Interestingly, Harika revealed that she never speaks about chess with the more seasoned campaigner from her own State, Humpy. “Yes, her achievements do inspire us a lot. But, that is it.”

Reflecting on her own career, Harika says she keeps learning new things day in and day out. “It is an endless process, especially in this world of technological advances.”

Source: http://www.thehindu.com

Keep on learning new things

'Learning, an endless process'
HYDERABAD, July 26, 2011

Dronavalli Harika, who has emulated Koneru Humpy as the only Indian woman ever to win a Grandmaster title in the men's category, is now eagerly waiting for something special to happen.

“I am excited at the huge opportunity of Humpy becoming the world champion this year-end,” says the smiling chess player, who returned to the city from China on Monday.

“I am very keen on an Indian woman becoming a world champion. That has never happened. I will be thrilled if Humpy gets there,” she said, referring to the World championship title-clash between Hou Yifan of China and Humpy later this year.

“Professionally, I do have the feeling that I should achieve the big things first. But otherwise, I have no hassles. She is a great player, and, I have a very strong feeling that Humpy is just one step away from a world championship victory.”

The other dream — personal — which this young champion is chasing now is to be a member of the Indian team on the Chess Olympiad medal podium.

“Because of the strong and intense competition, it should be a major achievement in anybody's career,” she said.

Interestingly, Harika revealed that she never speaks about chess with the more seasoned campaigner from her own State, Humpy. “Yes, her achievements do inspire us a lot. But, that is it.”

Reflecting on her own career, Harika says she keeps learning new things day in and day out. “It is an endless process, especially in this world of technological advances.”

Source: http://www.thehindu.com

Congratulations to Harika!

Harika becomes second woman GM from India
Mumbai, July 23, 2011

Dronavalli Harika followed the footsteps of her compatriot and fellow—Andhraite Koneru Humpy to earn a chess Grandmaster title following her fine display at the 1st Hangzhou Women’s Grandmasters Tournament in China, where she finished third with 5.5 points.

Harika won two of her matches and secured seven draws in the round robin format tournament in which the top ten women players in the world took part, a media release said today.

The 20—year—old Harika, a former world junior girls champion, had held double norms for Grandmaster and had already bagged the titles of woman Grandmaster and International Master previously.

An ecstatic Guntur—born Harika, supported by Pune—based sponsors Lakshya and Flame, said her feat of becoming only the second woman GM from India was a dream come true.

“It’s been a dream come true for me. I have been working hard to achieve this since the past few years and was confident of getting into this tournament. I am naturally very happy. I am looking forward to the future tournaments and will continue working hard to be the world no.1,” she said.

Harika, gold medal winner at this year’s Asian women’s championship in Iran, silver winner in the Commonwealth Championship in South Africa and bronze medal winner at last year’s Asian Games in Guangzhou, had undergone special training at Pune at the chess camp by Kazakh GM Evgeny Vladimirov.

Hailing her achievement Vladimirov said, “There was never a doubt in my mind about her capability. I am sure she will continue this form and bring more laurels.”

Source: http://www.thehindu.com

Congratulations to Harika!

Harika becomes second woman GM from India
Mumbai, July 23, 2011

Dronavalli Harika followed the footsteps of her compatriot and fellow—Andhraite Koneru Humpy to earn a chess Grandmaster title following her fine display at the 1st Hangzhou Women’s Grandmasters Tournament in China, where she finished third with 5.5 points.

Harika won two of her matches and secured seven draws in the round robin format tournament in which the top ten women players in the world took part, a media release said today.

The 20—year—old Harika, a former world junior girls champion, had held double norms for Grandmaster and had already bagged the titles of woman Grandmaster and International Master previously.

An ecstatic Guntur—born Harika, supported by Pune—based sponsors Lakshya and Flame, said her feat of becoming only the second woman GM from India was a dream come true.

“It’s been a dream come true for me. I have been working hard to achieve this since the past few years and was confident of getting into this tournament. I am naturally very happy. I am looking forward to the future tournaments and will continue working hard to be the world no.1,” she said.

Harika, gold medal winner at this year’s Asian women’s championship in Iran, silver winner in the Commonwealth Championship in South Africa and bronze medal winner at last year’s Asian Games in Guangzhou, had undergone special training at Pune at the chess camp by Kazakh GM Evgeny Vladimirov.

Hailing her achievement Vladimirov said, “There was never a doubt in my mind about her capability. I am sure she will continue this form and bring more laurels.”

Source: http://www.thehindu.com

Hou Yifan is top seed at Hangzhou Women's Tournament

Hangzhou Women Grandmaster Chess Tournament
Ten-player round robin on 13th-24th July

The 1st Hangzhou Women Grandmaster Chess Tournament will take place on 13th - 24th July 2011 in Hangzhou, China. Ten top women players compete in the round robin event that is concurrent with the World Chess Team Championship in Ningbo, also in China.

Participants:

1. GM Hou Yifan CHN 2575 (Women's World Champion)
2. GM Nadezhda Kosintseva RUS 2560
3. GM Tatiana Kosintseva RUS 2557
4. GM Nana Dzagnidze GEO 2537
5. IM Anna Zatonskih USA 2522
6. WGM Ju Wenjun CHN 2515
7. IM Dronavalli Harika IND 2513
8. GM Marie Sebag FRA 2510
9. GM Zhu Chen QAT 2485 (former World Champion)
10. GM Zhao Xue CHN 2470

More information