DOHA: Reigning women’s rapid world champion Koneru Humpy held her nerve to stay in joint lead, while Magnus Carlsen suffered a rare defeat and D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi remained firmly in the title race on Day 2 of the FIDE World Rapid Championships on Saturday.
With three rounds left in the women’s section, Humpy finished the day on 6.5 points from eight rounds, sharing the top spot with China’s Zhu Jiner. A chasing pack of 10 players — including India’s Dronavalli Harika — sit half a point behind on six.
In the open section, it was Vladislav Artemiev who stole the spotlight after handing world No 1 and five-time rapid world champion Carlsen a shock defeat, while also beating Arjun Erigaisi earlier in the day. The 27-year-old Russian leads the standings on 7.5 points alongside Hans Niemann, with four players, including Carlsen, half a point adrift.
Artemiev opened the day by turning around a lost position against Arjun, winning despite playing much of the game on increment. His biggest result came in Round 7, when Carlsen blundered with a serious mistake on move 15 and was forced to resign on move 30. The Norwegian exited the hall visibly frustrated, before recovering with wins over Shant Sargsyan and Ray Robson to close the day on seven points.
“I am pleased with my performance, and everything is feeling good,” Artemiev told FIDE after rounding off the session with calm draws against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Alexey Sarana.
Gukesh, who had downplayed expectations heading into the event, showed characteristic resilience to remain in the hunt. After opening the day with draws against Anish Giri and Alexey Sarana, the classical world champion edged a topsy-turvy Round 8 encounter against Spain’s David Anton.
His only setback came in Round 9, where he was outplayed by Nodirbek Abdusattorov in a King’s Indian attack. Even so, Gukesh and Arjun both sit on 6.5 points in a 13-player cluster just a point behind the leaders.
In the women’s field, Humpy’s composed play has kept her in control of her title defence, while Harika remains firmly in contention in the crowded leading group.
The championships conclude on Sunday, with the final rounds expected to produce a tense finish across both sections as the Indian contingent stays well in the mix for the podium.