44th National Challengers Chess Championships: Soumya emerges as sole leader

Top-seed WGM Soumya Swaminathan (PSPB) emerged as the sole leader scoring 5.5 points from six rounds, in the fourth-day of the 44th National Women Challengers Chess Championships 2017, conducted by the Mysore Chess Centre at the Mysore Sports Club's premises here yesterday. Five players, WGM Kiran Manisha Mohanty (LIC), second seed WGM Mary Ann Gomes (PSPB), WIM M. Mahalakshmi (TN), WFM C. Lakshmi (TN) and fifth seed Bhakti Kulkarni (Air India) are placed from second to sixth in the ranking with 5 points each from six rounds. Playing on the top board with white pieces top-seed WGM Soumya Swaminathan after a bad opening recovered, but was not able to get over a cramped position against second seeded WGM Mary Ann Gomes (PSPB). The game ended in a draw after repetition of moves to a same position for more than three times, after 56 moves. WGM Kiran Manisha Mohanty (LIC) was held to a draw by WIM Mahalakshmi (TN) in 39 moves on the second board. WGM Bhakti Kulkarni (AI) registered a well earned win over R. Divya Lakshmi (TN) who faltered in the ending game in 44 moves in the fourth board. WFM C. Lakshmi (TN) scored a convincing win over WIM Pranali S. Dharia (MAH) in 42 moves. Important Results: 6th Round: Soumya Swaminathan (5.5) drew with Mary Ann Gomes (5), M. Mahalakshmi (5) drew with Kiran Manisha Mohanty (5), G. Lasya (4.5) drew with Nisha Mohota (4.5), Bhakti Kulkarni (5) bt R. Divya Lakshmi (4), K. Priyanka (4.5) drew with Meenakshi Subbaraman (4.5), Pranali S. Dharia (4) lost C. Lakshmi (5), Swati Ghate (4.5) bt K. Manasa (3.5), Makhija A (4.5) bt Pratyusha Bodda (3.5), P.V. Nandhidhaa (4) drew Isha Sharma (4), G. Sandhya (4) drew Srija Seshadri (4).