MUMBAI, Nov 11: International Woman Master Bhagyashree Thipsay (5.5 points) of IDBI became the sole leader after six rounds when she defeated Sreeparna Chakraborty of West Bengal in the Savvy Women's National `B' Chess Championships at the SNDT University Complex here today.

Top seed and WFM Saheli Dhar-Barua (SE Rlys) was held to a second consecutive draw, by IWM Nisha Mohota of West Bengal. In a major upset, eighth-seed Anjali Palande of Maharashtra lost to 10-year-old Koneru Humpy, who had won the under-9 National title in Mumbai last year.

Three players -- Nisha (2080 Elo), Saheli (2225) and N Sai Meera (T N) -- are in the second position with five points each.

Bhagyashree played the Caro Kann defence against Sreeparna's Pannov Botvinnick attack on the second board. The West Bengal player went an exchange down -- rook for bishop. The position was not favourable for the latter when she resigned after 32 moves under time pressure.

The Saheli-Nisha clash on the top board was gaining equality most of the time. Saheli played the Dutch defence. After more than 20 moves, both players exchanged almost all their pieces and were left with only a bishop and five pawns. In the end game, Saheli's advanced King could not make much headway out of it.

On the fourth board, Sai Meera's brilliant breaking up of Swati Mohota defence was the feature of her victory. Swati (2135) of West Bengal erred after the opening which gave Sai Meera a rook for her two pawns. Then with a brilliant exchange sacrifice -- rook for bishop -- Sai Meera, who has won her last four games, broke through Swati's defences as the bishop was protecting a large number of black squares.

In the day's upset, Anjali Palande (2070) faced Humpy's Pirc Modern defence. Anjali made a unsound bishop sacrifice which gave her no counter play. Some moves later Humpy moved her rook on the h6 square which forced Anjali to give up her knight and Anjali resigned after 22 moves.

Second seed N Sarita Reddy (Hindustan Power Plus) was held to a draw by Aarthie Ramaswamy of Tamil Nadu. Sarita held a slight advantage after an opening mistake by Aarthie. In the end Sarita had a passer which was blocked by Aarthie, and the players agreed to split the point.

Sixth seed Pallavi Shah (UBI) won against unrated S Sujatha (TN) in the fifth board game. Sujata played an irregular opening and lost a pawn. Both had a rook, knight and opposite coloured bishyops but Pallavi converted it well to win the game after 49 moves.

Fourth seed Mrunalini Kunte (IDBI) was held by PV Nirmala after 57 moves. Nirmala had lost an exchange but was two pawns up. But the players had opposite coloured bishops in the end game.

SIXTH ROUND RESULTS

Nisha Mohota (WB) 5 drew with Saheli Dhar-Barua (SE Rly) 5; Sreeparna Chakraborty (WB) 4.5 lost to Bhagyashree Thipsay (IDBI) 5.5; N Sarita Reddy (TN) 4.5 drew with Aarthie Ramaswamy (TN) 4.5; M Sai Meera (BSB) 5 bt Swati Mohota (WB) 4; Pallavi Shah (Mah) 4.5 bt S Sujatha (TN) 4; Mrunalini Kunte (IDBI) 4 drew with PV Nirmala (TN) 4; Kavitha (AP) 4.5 bt Ashwini Pacharpurkar (Mah) 3.5; Purabhi Singha (Assam) 4.5 bt E Sheena (Kerala) 3; Anjali Palande (Mah) 3 lost to Koneru Humpy (AP) 4; SR Radha (PSCB) 4 bt Abha Thakur (Mah) 3; Mansi Dadarkar (Mah) 3.5 drew with Preeta Subhash (Ker) 3.5; Nivedita Sagade (Mah) 4 bt Baisakhi Das (WB) 3; Mugdha Dolas (Mah) 4 bt Snehal Mahajan (Mah) 3; S Subhasini (AP) 3 lost to S Madhavi Lata (AP) 4; R Hemlatha (Karnataka) 4 bt Krishna Sudhakar (GSA) 3; Sushma Singh (Bihar) 3.5 drew with CV Rajalakshmi (TN) 3.5; Zeal Mehta (Guj) 3.5 drew with Ashwini Kulkarni (Mah) 3.5; Anuradha Beniwal (Har) 3.5 bt L Sunderi Devi (Manipur) 3.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.