Cap d’Agde : Young Indian Grand Master Harika Dronavalli, gave an inspiring performance to play out an entertaining draw against the legendary Anatoly Karpov on day four of the prestigious 14th Anatoly Karpov Rapid International Chess Tournament here on Monday. However, she could not end the day blemish free and lost out to Bacrot Etienne in her second game of the day.
Starting in white pieces in her round seven game against the former World Champion Karpov of Russia with an ELO rating of 2628, Harika, the lone Indian player at tournament began on an attacking note and matched her opponent move by move. She however, could not capitalize on her good start and Karpov brought all his experience into play and staved off a strong challenge to escape with a draw in the game which lasted for 51 moves.
In the second game, she was up against the local favourite Etienne Bacrot. Harika, the World no. 5 who had already lost to him once in tournament went into the tie seeking retribution.
