Flush from her success in the Fide Grand Prix in Chengdu where she emerged victorious in a field that included the world’s top 12 players, India’s Harika Dronavalli is set to embark on a new journey: she has left for Shanghai and will play in the highly competitive Chinese Chess League, starting on Saturday.
The young Guntur lass will represent Shandong Club, one of the 12 teams that will be fighting for top honours. The A division League features China’s top players and foreign stars, including Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan), Vladimir Malakhov (Russia), Nana Dzagnidze (Georgia) and Bela Khotenashvili (Georgia).
"I have been playing well of late and will go into the tournament with lot of confidence. I have played in this tournament in the past as well and know how to adjust myself in a team format. I have a good team and I am looking forward to the tournament,' said Harika.
The entire league is played from April to December, lasting 22 rounds in six 3-4 day sessions. The current leg will end on July 26. Each match is played over five boards, with women playing on two of them.
Harika has a great run in the last few months, having won back to back Best Women’s prizes in Zalakaros and in the Eurasian Blitz tournaments.
Guntur’s Pentala Harikrishna is the other Indian in fray, the Grand Master turning out for team Shanghai.
