Divya Deshmukh eyes Gold at Asian Continental Women 2023
11/06/2023 - IM Divya Deshmukh defeated WIM Meruert Kamalidenova (KAZ) convincingly in the penultimate round of Asian Continental Women 2023. She needs a draw in the final round against WIM Xeniya Balabayeva (KAZ) to become a clear champion. WGM Mary Ann Gomes averted disaster in the opening against WIM Alua Nurmanova (KAZ). She turned things around eventually and won the game. Mary and top seed IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul (MGL) are at 6/8 each, a full point behind Divya 7/8. Both of them have medal chances. In the Open event, GM Abhimanyu Puranik defeated IM Aronyak Ghosh in a sharp battle. Abhimanyu along with three other players are at 6/8, a half point behind the sole leader GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB). Abhimanyu must win the last round to have medal hopes. Round 9 starts today at 10 a.m. local time, 9:30 a.m. IST. Photos: Kazakhstan Chess Federation