Anupama blow for Bhagyashree

Vijayalakshmi defeated Swati Mohota in a marathon battle lasting 85 moves and nearly six and half hours.

There was one more smiling face today. Pallavi Shah, who suffered her first career losses to the Mohota sisters in the fourth and fifth rounds, won against Sai Meera. Sai Meera, incidentally, is having a horrible time having lost all her matches. Young Neha Singh, the lowest rated player in the championships at 2040, is also having a bad time. She managed todraw against Pallavi, has not earned any points for the last five rounds.

The positions in the Bhagyashree-Anupama game indicated equality until the 24th move. Then Bhagyashree pushed her rook from c4 to f4 from where she proceeded to lose in an exchange with bishop. The queens were off the board thereafter and the positions appeared simplified with Anupama having the advantage. In the end game, she had a `c’ pawn passer having reached the third rank. Bhagyashree gave up after 38 moves.

Vijaylakshmi played the Nimzo Indian defence against Swati Mohota and used it to an advantage owing to her bishops. Then on it should have been a routine victory for Vijayalakshmi but she could not find the right plan for an immediate execution. She finally attained full points after 85 moves.

Nisha faced the Nimzo Indian defence. Swati Ghate went for an unsound sacrifice on the 21st move through which the players proceeded to exchange the queens. In the final position, Nisha had the material advantage and she won after42 moves.

Saheli Dhar-Barua was lucky to earn half a point against Safira Shanaz, who had many opportunities. Mrunalini Kunte downed Purabhi Singh while Sarita Reddy upstaged Neha Singh.

Results (Sixth Round)

Bhagyashree Thipsay (IDBI, 2205) 3 lost to Anupama Gokhale (Bharat Petroleum, 2205) 4; Neha Singh (Bihar, 2040) 0.5 lost to Sarita Reddy (TN, 2235) 3; Purabhi Singha (Assam) 0.5 lost to Mrunalini Kunte (IDBI, 2170) 3.5; Safira Shanaz (TN, 2135) 2.5 drew with Saheli Dhar-Barua (Indian Railway, 2240) 3.5; Nisha Mohota (West Bengal, 2105) 5 bt Swati Ghate (Maharashtra, 2210) 4.5; Swati Mohota (West Bengal, 2125) 2.5 lost to S Vijayalakshmi (Indian Airlines, 2325) 5; Sai Meera (Indian Bank, 2105) 1.5 lost to Pallavi Shah (Maharashtra, 2105) 3.5.

SEVENTH ROUND PAIRINGS

1. Pallavi Shah vs Bhagyashree Thipsay; 2. S Vijayalakshmi vs Sai Meera; 3. Swati Ghate vs Swati Mohota; 4. Saheli Dhar-Barua vs Nisha Mohota; Mrunalini Kunte vsSafira Shanaz; 6 Sarita Reddy vs Purabhi Singha; 7 Anupama Gokhale vs Neha Singh.