Meenakshi beats world champ; Anand splits point

Woman Grandmaster S Meenakshi pulled off a major upset, defeating World champion Chen Zhu of China, while defending champion Vishwanathan Anand began his campaign with a draw, in the opening league matches in the second World Cup Chess Championship in Hyderabad on Thursday.

Pre-tournament favourite Anand settled for a quick draw in 18 moves against against Xu Jun of China in a balanced position arising out of a Nimzo Indian defence.

Later, Anand said he was satisfied with his performance as he felt he "countered well with black pieces against a strong and enterprising opponent".

In the other matches in the women's section, Grandmaster Koneru Humpy defeated Iosliani Nana of Georgia while Swathi Ghate defeated Nino Khurtsidze, also of Georgia.

Another upset result in the men's section saw South Africa's Watu Kobese score over Alex Yermolinsky of USA.

But it was the diminutive Meenakshi who hogged the limelight when she brushed aside Zhu in a thrilling Group D game which involved Slav opening.

The World champion could hardly raise her game with the pieces blocked while Meenakshi's material was very active and in full play.

Describing her victory as "sweet", Meenakshi, a last minute entry said, "I was not tense and played my game. The moment I started attacking her queen and she blundered by giving a piece, I knew I would win the match," Meenakshi said.

The lone Indian woman to hold men's GM title, Koneru Humpy, played the Queen's Gambit exchange variation to outwit Nana Iosliani of Georgia in a Group C league match.

"Initially I was tense but as the game progressed I gained confidence. Once I played b5 I was confident of winning the game," Humpy said.

The unheralded South African Kobese's victory against highly rated Alex Yermolinsky in a Stonewall opening also created quite a flutter.