Swati emerges sole leader

Chennai, Dec 12 (UNI) Defending champion Swati Ghate scored a crushing victory over world under-18 girls champion Dronavalli Harika of Andhra Pradesh to jump into sole lead in the National Women A Chess championship here today.

Swati of LIC, Pune moved to 5.5 points after posting her fourth victory and the second in a row.

Six time champion and favourite S Vijayalakshmi drew against her sister S Meenakshi after only seven moves. The Subbaraman sisters, Vijayalakshmi, Meenakshi and Tania Sachdev of Delhi are in the joint second place with five points.

A further half a point below on 4.5 points is Aarthie Ramesh, D Harika, Eesha Karavade, Nisha Mohota, Swati Mohota and Kruttika Nadig. Four more rounds remain to be played.

Swati played white and scored in an attacking game after 29 moves. She had the black castled king on the run before cashing a rook and the point.

The top six players from this contest will represent India in the international events in 2007.

The results (Round 7): S Meenakshi (IA) 5 drew with S Vijayalakshmi (IA) 5, Swati Ghate (LIC) 5.5 bt D Harika (AP) 4.5, Nisha Mohota (WB) 4.5 drew with Tania Sachdev (Del) 5, Kiran Mohanty (Ori) 4 lost to Eesha Karavade (Mah) 4.5, Aarthie Ramaswamy (IA) 4.5 bt Saheli Nath (WB) 3.5, Kruttika Nadig (Mah) 4.5 bt Padmini Rout (Ori) 3.5, I Ramyakrishna (AP) 3.5 lost to Swati Mohota (WB) 4.5, P Lakshmi Sahithi (AP) 4 bt Nimmy George (Ker) 3, R Mahima (TN) 3 lost to Amruta Mokal (Mah) 4, J E Kavitha (TN) 2.5 lost to S Harini (TN) 4, UNI