Humpy shocks Pert

CHENNAI, AUG. 9. Former world under-12 girls champion Koneru Humpy from Vijayawada shocked former world under-18 boys champion and IM Nicholas Pert in the eighth round of the Smith & Williamson British chess championship at Somerset on Tuesday.

Humpy, sponsored by Bank of Baroda, scored this sensational upset to move to five points from eight games and should be in norm contention. She is now tied for the 10th place and could improve her position further if she is able to upset GM Peter Wells in the ninth round. Wells is rated 2506 and Humpy 2286.

National under-18 champion P. Mahesh Chandran remained in four points after he was beaten by a much stronger Aleksander Wohl of Australia.

For the reigning world under-18 champion Aarthie Ramaswamy, it was a day of relief. She finally won a game and moved out of the jinxed two points. She accounted for Allan J. Pleasants with the black pieces and has three points. She gets another much lower ranked opponent in the next round.

Mark Hebden was beaten by Murray Chandler in the second board. This helped GM Chris Ward to snatch sole lead with 6.5 points from eight games. Ward is followed by the top seeds, Hodgson, Jon Speelman and Chandler with six points each.

- Our Chess Correspondent.

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