KUALA LUMPUR, April 20: A costly blunder by Bhagyashree Thipsay of India cost her the match but the former Asian champion managed to hold on to her joint fifth place with 5.5 points after the penultimate round of the 11th Asian Women’s Chess Championships here today.
Playing the Sleneival Variation, Thipsay had a winning position against Mamedova Rena (6) of Uzbekestan but erred in the end game to lose the tie.
Another former Asian champion from India, Anupama Gokhale, also lost in the 11-round tournament which comes to a close tomorrow. Gokhale, joint sixth after today’s round with five points, went down to Phan Koshnitsky (6).
Top-seed Xu Yuhua of China continued to lead with a tally of eight points.International Women Master Xu drew with Tamin Upi (5.5) to take a one point lead over second seed Repkova Eva (7) of Romania, who beat Le Phuonglien (6.5) of Vietnam.