Pallavi makes royal comeback

Nisha Mohota, the second youngest participant in this championship, won against Mrunalini Kunte while Swati Ghate defeated Sai Meera on time.Saheli Dhar-Barua, who had a chance to join Pallavi and Anupama in third spot, missed out when she was held to a draw by Swati Mohota. Sarita Reddy, who is resurrecting her position in this championship after a string of losses, defeated Safira Shanaz today.

Pallavi, once again, played the Centre Gambit. But unlike Bhagyashree Thipsay in the previous round, Vijayalakshmi was prepared todevelop her bishop. In the middle game, Pallavi gave up her rook for a good enough compensation 8212; three pawns. She drove home the advantage to earn a quot;fquot; file passer which was a hopeless position for Vijayalakshmi who resigned after 41 moves.

Swati Ghate played the Sicilian defence but had black square weakness. Sai Meera tried to exploit that and thought over her moves. She consumed too much time and came under time pressure. She gave up after 30 moves with hardly any time left on her clock.

Nisha was an easy winner over Mrunalini, who played the Kings Indian Defence. On the 19th move, Nisha played her pawn to g4 which opened the King side. The queens were exchanged five moves later. Out of the position, Nisha got a protected passer pawn on c6. In the end game, Nisha unleashed a combination which helped her capture Mrunalini8217;s g8217; pawn and an exchange. Nisha won after 31 moves.

Anupama Gokhale had the better position on the board though even Purabhi Singha had the same material in the end game 8211;knight and four pawns.

Anupama won in 48 moves.

Safira Shanaz blundered two pieces in time pressure after playing the Torre Attack against Sarita Reddy, who completed the formalities in 36 moves.

Bhagyashree tried hard for over six hours to force a win against Neha Singh but the Bihar girl defended stoutly and earned her second consecutive draw, after 59 moves.

Saheli Dhar-Barua had a bishop to Swati Mohota8217;s knight but it was a drawish position and it ended that way when the pieces were exchange and players were left with two pawns each.

Results

EIGHTH ROUND: 1. Bhagyashree Thipsay IDBI, 2205 3.5 drew with Neha Singh Bihar, 2040 1.5; Purabhi Singha Assam 1.5 lost to Anupama Gokhale Bharat Petroleum, 2205 5.5; Safira Shanaz TN, 2135 2.5 lost to Sarita Reddy TN, 2235 4; Nisha Mohota West Bengal, 2105 5.5 bt Mrunalini Kunte IDBI, 2170 4; Swati Mohota West Bengal, 2125 drew with Saheli Dhar-Barua Indian Railways, 2240 5; Sai Meera Indian Bank, 2105 1.5 lost toSwati Ghate Maharashtra, 2220 6.5; Pallavi Shah Maharashtra, 2105 5.5 bt S Vijayalakshmi Indian Airlines, 2325 6.

PAIRINGS FOR NINTH ROUND: 1. S Vijayalakshmi vs Bhagyashree Thipsay; 2. Swati Ghate vs Pallavi Shah; 3. Saheli Dhar-Barua vs Sai Meera; 4. Mrunalini Kunte vs Swati Mohota; 5. Sarita Reddy vs Nisha Mohota; 6. Anupama Gokhale vs Safira Shanaz; 7. Neha Singh vs Purabhi Singha.