MUMBAI, June 13: Today was probably one of the biggest days in Indian women's chess. Swati Ghate won her second International Women's Master norm and completed the formalities for the title. Pallavi Shah also won her second IWM norm but fell short of the title on two counts. She is one norm short of the required 24 and needs to improve her rating from 2105 to 2200.The battle for the title in the ongoing National Women's A Chess Championship almost took a backseat as all the players took pleasure in the achievement of the two teenagers.
S Vijayalakshmi maintained her half-point lead (8.5 points) with Swati and Pallavi following her in the second position (8 points) after the penultimate round at the Sachivalay Gymkhana here today. Breathing down their necks are Bhagyashree Thipsay, Sarita Reddy and Nisha Mohota with 7.5 points each.
The day's biggest upset was created by Purabhi Singha, the debutante from Assam. She shocked Nisha Mohota, who was in second position with 7.5 points yesterday. The defeatnot only put Nisha out of the title race but makes her chance of finishing among the top four difficult.
Vijayalakshmi and Mrunalini Kunte drew after 117 marathon moves, Swati crushed Saheli Dhar-Barua in 23 moves, Pallavi drew with Sarita while Bhagyashree defeated Safira Shanaz.
Another big defeat was that of defending champion Anupama Gokhale, who lost to Sai Meera.
Vijayalakshmi gained a slight advantage out of the English opening when Mrunalini lost a pawn. Vijayalakshmi tried hard for nearly six and a half hours to convert that into a win but Mrunalini defended well.
Nisha played the Queen's gambit and lost an exchange when faced with the prospect of losing her queen. She had a rook and two knights to Purabhi's rooks and knight. Purabhi converted that advantage to a win after 60 moves.
Anupama came under time pressure and from a fairly equal position, left a rook hanging during the first time control. Sai Meera won the rook and completed the formalities after 46 moves.
Pallavi and Saritaexchanged all their pieces and drew after 39 moves. Swati Ghate played the advance variation of French defence and gained a huge advantage with Saheli Dhar blundered on the 18th move. Saheli was losing at least two pieces before she resigned after 23 moves.
RESULTS: ROUND 12: Bhagyashree Thipsay (IDBI, Elo 2205) 7.5 points bt Safira Shanaz (TN, 2135) 4; Nisha Mohota (West Bengal, 2105) 7.5 lost to Purabhi Singh (Assam) 4.5; Swati Mohota (West Bengal, 2125) 4.5 drew with Neha Singh (Bihar, 2040) 2.5; Sai Meera (Indian Bank, 2105) 4 bt Anupama Gokhale (Bharat Petroleum, 2205) 6.5; Pallavi Shah (Maharashtra, 2105) 8 drew with Sarita Reddy (TN, 2235) 7.5; S Vijayalakshmi (Indian Airlines, 2325) 8.5 drew with Mrunalini Kunte (IDBI, 2170) 5; Swati Ghate (Maharashtra, 2210) 8 Saheli Dhar-Barua (Indian Airlines, 2240) 6.
PAIRINGS (13TH ROUND): 1. Saheli vs Bhagyashree; 2. Mrunalini vs Swati; 3. Sarita vs Vijayalakshmi; 4. Anupama vs Pallavi; 5. Neha vs Sai Meera; 6. Purabhi vs Swati Mohota; 7.Safira vs Nisha.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
