Priya emerges sole leader in u-13 girls chess nationals

Mumbai, Jan 13 (UNI) J Mohan Priya (5) of Tamil Nadu, with her fifth victory on the trot, outplayed Shrushti Shetty (4) of Karnataka to emerge as sole leader at the end of fifth round in the National Under 13 Girls Chess Championship, being played at Andheri Sports Complex, here today.

International Women Master and top seeded Padmini Rout (4.5 points) of Orissa who was held to draw by Pranali Patil (Maharashtra) in the third round will take on Mohan Priya in a crucial encounter to be played tomorrow. Padmini scored a workmanlike win over NLV Anusha (4) of AP in the fifth round.

Shrushti, who had earlier shocked fourth seeded FIDE Master Rucha Pujari of Maharashtra, could not raise her game to that level in her crucial encounter with leader Mohan Priya, though she had the advantage of White pieces in Spanish opening. Shrushti blundered a piece in the middle game and Mohan Priya wrapped up the game with precise play.

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