Second loss for Vijayalakshmi

MUMBAI, June 10: International Woman Master Bhagyashree Thipsay dealt a crucial blow to top seed Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman by defeating the h...

MUMBAI, June 10: International Woman Master Bhagyashree Thipsay dealt a crucial blow to top seed Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman by defeating the highest rated IWM and the holder of two WGM norms in the ninth round of the National Women8217;s A Chess Championships at the Sachivalaya Gymkhana today.

Swati Ghate, who became the sole leader yesterday, moved one point 7 clear of the field after drawing with Pallavi Shah and now needs one more point from the remaining four rounds to earn her second IWM norm. She got the first one during the previous championships at Calcutta.

There are four players in second spot Pallavi, Vijayalakshmi, Anupama Gokhale and Nisha Mohota. Saheli Dhar-Barua is in the third position with 5.5 points.

Bhagyashree, who has only half-a-point in the three previous rounds, broke her dry spell with a brilliant victory over Vijayalakshmi. Bhagyashree played the Dutch Stonewall with black. Vijayalakshmi opened her King side 158230;f3. But she did not have such a good initiative againstBhagyashree8217;s queenside attack. Bhagyashree executed her end game in precise manner, mating Vijayalakshmi8217;s King with the 40th move.

Though Vijayalakshmi8217;s chances have not been dented, two consecutive defeats are expected to be crushing. She plays the leader, Swati Ghate, tomorrow.Swati and Pallavi drew in a dead end position. Pallavi, who played the Sicilian defence, had the material advantage of two rooks and bishops against rooks, bishop and knight of Swati.

But Pallavi had just one pawn on the queen-side while Swati had two. Even if the rooks were exchanged off, the game was not expected to take a decisive edge. They agreed to a draw after 25 moves. Pallavi needs two points from four rounds for her IWM norm.

Nisha Mohota, joint second yesterday, suffered a defeat against N Sarita Reddy. Nisha misplaced the knight after her 13th move Nd6. Fifteen moves later, she went on to lose a piece and resigned on the 40th move.Defending champion Anupama had a two pawn advantage against Safira Shanaz but blewit to draw after 49 moves.

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Saheli Dhar-Barua drew against Sai Meera after 44 moves while Mrunalini Kunte and Swati Mohota shared a point after 61 moves. Purabhi Singha scored her second victory, defeating Neha Singh.

Results

9TH ROUNDIWM S Vijayalakshmi Indian Airlines, ELO 2325 6 points lost to IWM Bhagyashree Thipsay IDBI, 2205 4.5; Swati Ghate Maharashtra, 2210 7 drew with Pallavi Shah Maharashtra, 2105 6; Saheli Dhar-Barua Indian Railways, 2240 5.5 drew with Sai Meera Indian Bank, 2105 2; Mrunalini Kunte IDBI, 2170 4.5 drew with Swati Mohota West Bengal, 2125 3.5; IWM Sarita Reddy TN, 2235 5 bt IWM Nisha Mohota West Bengal, 2105 6; IWM Anupama Gokhale Bharat Petroleum, 2205 6 drew with Safira Shanaz TN, 2135 3; Neha Singh Bihar, 2040 1.5 lost to Purabhi Singha Assam 2.5.

PAIRINGS FOR 10TH ROUND: 1. Bhagyashree Thipsay vs Purabhi Singh; 2. Safira Shanaz vs Neha Singh; 3. Nisha Mohota vs Anupama Gokhale; 4. Swati Mohota vs Sarita Reddy; 5. Sai Meera vsMrunalini Kunte; 6 Pallavi Shah vs Saheli Dhar-Barua; 7. S Vijayalakshmi vs Swati Ghate.