Ghate checkmates Thipsay

Another drawn game was played between IWMs Anupama Gokhale Bharat Petroleum, a former champion, and Pallavi Shah LIC.

Pallavi, playing black, opened with Benko Gambit 8211; giving up a side pawn for rapid development. Anupama, who has won the crown on five previous occasions but is making a comeback into active chess after a gap, chose a little played line and declined the gambit.

The players refused to take any risks and agreed for a draw when a level position was reached.

In another first-round tie, Neha Singh of Bihar was beaten by Y Pratibha of Tamil Nadu, who played with black pieces, in 34 moves.

In a French Defence Winawer Variation, opposite side castling was resorted to. Neha, with a rating of 2019, tripled her major pieces in the B-file to launch an attack. But Pratibha, with a rating of 2091, defended well and then opened Neha8217;s kingside to launch the winning foray.

In another first-round tie, 14-year-old Baishakhi Das Bengal, with a rating of 2135, had the advantage of playing with white pieces against S Sujatha rating 2000 of Tamil Nadu, but blundered when in a commanding position to get into time trouble and resigned on the 43rd move.

In an all-Tamil Nadu first-round clash, S Meenakshi drew with Safira Shehnaz after 60 moves.

Tamil Nadu8217;s R Arti, the world under-18 champion, had drawn a bye in the first round.

The top four finishers in the event would gain the right to represent the country in the World Chess Olympiad at Istanbul in October.