June 12: Last year Swati Ghate had a 2.5-point lead over her competitors with a few rounds to go before losing the National A chess title race to Anupama Gokhale in Calcutta. This time too, the signs are ominous. Two rounds ago she had a one-point lead and today, after 11 of the 13 rounds, her hopes lie in tatters as she lost again, to Bhagyashree Thipsay.S Vijayalakshmi became the sole leader (8 points) with a crushing victory over Saheli Dhar-Barua while Nisha Mohota and Pallavi Shah are at third spot (7.5 points). Swati Ghate is in the third position with Sarita Reddy (7 points).Bhagyashree's problems against Swati Ghate began when she took 58 minutes to make two moves. In time pressure, she lost an exchange. But Swati's blunder after time pressure made her poorer by two pawns and a piece. In the end game, Bhagyashree had a rook and knight to Swati's rook. The queens were getting exchanged and Swati was even losing the rook when she resigned after 67 moves.Vijayalakshmi capitalised on anopening mistake by Saheli Dhar-Barua to improve her position to such an extent that the latter was left with the option of losing a knight and the queen or getting mated.Nisha unwisely exchanged her active bishop and knight for Neha's rook. Nisha had two rooks to Neha's rook, bishop and knight with four pawns each. When Neha offered a draw after 41 moves, Nisha gladly accepted it.Pallavi was winning a piece against Mrunalini Kunte when the latter resigned. The queens had got exchanged during time pressure and from a more or less equal position Mrunalini went into a disadvantageous position because of the piece loss.Sarita Reddy scored her fourth victory against Sai Meera which came after six hours. Anupama Gokhale drew with Swati Mohota in a game arising out of the London System, while Purabhi Singha won her third match in the championships, over Safira Shanaz.RESULTSROUND 11: Swati Ghate (Maharashtra, Elo 2210) 7 points lost to IWM Bhagyashree Thipsay (IDBI, 2205) 6.5; SaheliDhar-Barua (Indian Airlines, 2240) 6 lost to Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman (Indian Airlines, 2325) 8; Mrunalini Kunte (IDBI, 2170) 4.5 lost to Pallavi Shah (Maharahstra, 2105) 7.5; Sarita Reddy (TN, 2235) 6.5 bt M Sai Meera (Indian Bank, 2105) 3; Anupama Gokhale (Bharat Petroleum, 2205) 6.5 drew with Swati Mohota (West Bengal, 2125) 4; Neha Singh (Bihar, 2040) 2 drew with Nisha Mohota (West Bengal, 2105) 7.5; Purabhi Singha (Assam) 3.5 bt Safira Shanaz (TN, 2135) 3.PAIRINGS FOR ROUND 12: 1. Bhagyashree Thipsay vs Safira Shanaz; 2. Nisha Mohota vs Purabhi Singh; 3. Swati Mohota vs Neha Singh; 4. Sai meera vs Anupama Gokhale; 5. Pallavi Shah vs Sarita Reddy; 6. S Vijayalakshmi vs Mrunalini Kunte; 6. S Vijayalakshmi vs Mrunalini Kunte; 7. Swati Ghate vs Saheli Dhar-Barua.
