Chennai: Former Asian champion and second seed Bhakti Kulkarni of Air India took the sole lead with six-and-a-half points after the seventh round of the 46th National Women Chess Championship in Karaikudi Tuesday.
Continuing her fine form, Bhakti outwitted top seed Soumya Swaminathan in the crucial seventh round battle. Playing with light colour pieces in a Grunfeld defence game, Bhakti got a pawn advantage on the twentythird move and exerted pressure on the open queenside of her higher-seeded rival.
Important results:
Seventh round:
Bhakti Kulkarni of Air India (6.5) beat Soumya Swaminathan of PSPB (5);
Pratyusha Bodda of Andhra Pradesh (5.5) drew with Vantika Agrawal of Delhi (6);
Michelle Catherina of Tamilnadu (5.5) drew with P V Nandhidhaa of Tamilnadu (5.5);
Meenakshi S of Air India (5.5) beat Swati Ghate of LIC (5)