Closely following them, half a point behind, was Pallavi Shah who defeated youngster Safira Shanaz. Also winning were veterans, Bhagyashree Thipsay and Anupama Gokhale.

Of the leaders, it was Vijayalakshmi who impressed with a quick 24 move over bottom placed Purabhi Singha. Nisha once again won in time against M Sai Meera while Swati Ghate defeated Neha Singh.

Vijayalakshmi's swift demolition of Purabhi came after the latter made a mistake with her 11th move where she pushed Knight into e4. Vijayalakshmi captured a pawn on the 16th, combined two pawns and launched an attack on the rival King and forced Purabhi to resign after 24 moves.

Pallavi got a break with Safira's 11th move of f5 through which her knights became powerful and createdhavoc. With Safira's King in the centre, she had to give up material to prevent the attack on Pallavi's knights from advancing. She resigned after 29 moves.

Anupama, the defending champion, played the Ruy Lopez opening. To initiate attack she sacrificed a pawn against Saheli Dhar-Barua, who made matters worse for herself with a wrong queen move which gave her rival the tempo. With an exchange down in the end game, it was a matter of routine for Anupama who won in 47 moves.

Bhagyashree Thipsay played the Dutch defence against Swati Mohota, who played an unusual line and without any plan. Bhagyashree developed her pieces, got a mating attack and won after 36 moves.

Swati Ghate got the advantage out of the French Defence exchange variation set up but blew it against Neha Singh. But by doubling pawns on the King, Neha handed back the advantage back to Swati. When she lost a pawn in time trouble and then was about to lose another piece, Neha resigned after 35 moves.

M Sai Meera's flag fell after 32 moveagainst Nisha Mohota, who had an extra pawn then. It was more of less equal in their game though Sai Meera's bishop and a rook were not developed. She sacrificed a pawn for developement. But fell short of the first time control (40 moves in two hours) by eight moves.Mrunalini Kunte and N Sarita Reddy drew after 24 moves of a Dutch defence game.

MCA deny Gokhale's allegations
The Maharashtra Chess Association (MCA) has in a letter clarified their stand on International Master Raghunandan Gokhale being denied entry into the tournament hall of the ongoing National Women's A Chess Championships at Sachivalaya Gymkhana. Gokhale, the coach and husband of defending champion Anupama, had alleged yesterday that it was a conspiracy on the part of MCA to prevent his wife from winning her sixth title if he is denied entry. Gokhale had said by denying him permission, he would not be able to watch Anupama play and help her with analysis which would be a big deterrent on her chances of winning the National crownfor a record sixth time.

MCA's letter states the decision of denying entry to Gokhale was that of the chief arbiter of the tournament ``who exercised his undisputable powers to ensure that the tournament proceeds smoothly and in calm congenial atmosphere.''

The MCA acted on the information of the chief arbiter here and decide to ban Gokhale's entry ``in view of his (Gokahle's) terrorising and intimidating behaviour during the recently concluded All-India Chess Tournament at Sangli.'' The MCA have termed Gokhale's allegation of conspiracy to deny Anupama her sixth title as ``ridiculous''. To cause Anupama harm during the championships, says MCA in the letter, ``could be believed only by a sick mind.'' It further says, that Gokhale's allegation of a conspiracy are only to ``arouse public sympathy''.

MCA states that if Gokhale had wanted to watch his wife play, he should have made a request with the Chief Arbiter of the tourney. According to the MCA, such allegations are ``deliberately made by Gokhale tomake a simple matter complex, to provide defence to his actions/activities''.

RESULTS (3rd round)
1. Swati Mohota (WB, Elo 2125) 0.5 points lost to Bhagyashree Thipsay (IDBI, 2205) 1.5; Sai Meera (IB, 2105) 1.5 lost to Nisha Mohota (WB, 2105) 3; Pallavi Shah (Mah, 2105) 2.5 bt Safira Shanaz (TN, 2135) 1; S Vijayalakshmi (IA, 2325) 3 bt Purabhi Singha (Ass) 0; Swati Ghate (Mah, 2210) 3 bt Neha Singh (Bih, 2040) 0.5; Saheli Dhar-Barua (Rly, 2240) 1 lost to Anupama Gokhale (BPCL, 2205) 1; Mrunalini Kunte (IDBI, 2170) 1 drew with Sarita Reddy (TN, 2235) 1.5.