Grosslobming GP R1: Vaishali starts with a win

GM R Vaishali started her campaign with a win over IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL) at FIDE Grosslobming GP in Austria. Vaishali has never lost a Classical rated game against Nurgyul. She maintained that streak when the Bulgarian went wrong in an already difficult double rook and minor piece endgame. GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) defeated her compatriot GM Jiner Zhu (CHN). The former Women's World Champion's conversion of her advantage was not smooth. Thus, the game got prolonged to 96 moves. IM Olga Badelka (AUT) was worse for the better part of the game. However, her opponent, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI) went wrong in the final moments. Round 2 starts today at 3 p.m local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel