P. Harikrishna, right, winner of the boys’ title at the World Junior Chess Championship in Kochi, Kerala, and Russia’s Ekaterina Korbut, winner of the girls’ title, with their awards on Nov. 30. (Photo: Courtesy, www.worldjunior.chessindia.org)

Kochi : P. Harikrishna, 18, became the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to be crowned Junior World Chess Champion at Casino Hotel here on Nov. 30.

The girls’ title was won by top seed Ekaterina Korbut of Russia with 10.5/13. India’s Eesha Karavade finished third in the girl’s section.

Harikrishna, who began the concluding day of the championship with 9.5 points, secured a draw with top seeded Berkes Ferenc of Hungary and emerged the winner with 10 points.

“I played mainly the Englishng or some side variations,” Harikrishna said.

“At Calvia, I learned from GM Elizbar Ubilava (trainer to the Indian squad) how to approach and prepare for a game. Playing in the same team with Anand gave me big confidence,” Harikrishna added.

It was Harikrishna’s second world title. Earlier, he won the World U-10 championship at Menorca, Spain, in 1996.