Twelve-year-old Koneru Humpy of AP, sponsored by Bank of Baroda, went through some anxious moments against Dolan Champa Bose of Bihar before prevailing in the first round.

Viji, chasing her third title, played the beginning of a Scotch game against Swati Ghate passively. Swati had come thoroughly prepared from the white side. By move 14, Viji was at the crossroads and, in a moment of uncertainty, moved her centrally placed knight to the Queenside. That opened the floodgates for white's attack.

By move 21, Viji was forced to give her Queen and piece for two rooks. The defending champion's only hope hinged on the passed pawn in the Queen-file. When Swati captured it on the 29th move, itwas curtains.

``I played the same opening against Viji with the same result in the Calcutta National. There I lost a pawn and I was not happy. So I changed the line here,'' said an elated Swati, who will join LIC once she returns home. ``I shouldn't have moved the knight from the centre. But she played well,'' Viji gave credit to her opponent.

Humpy was in troubled waters in the Pirc Defence against Dolan Champa Bose, who is making a comeback to the National A after six years. With correct play, she could have reached a winning position but a hasty pawn push in the King-rook file (move 22.h4) spoiled Dolan's chances. Dolan had to give one more piece and in the end Humpy's nerves, so steely for a 12-year-old, helped her steer to a technically-won ending. Humpy will have a rest day tomorrow.

Five-time champion Anupama Gokhale of PSCB and Swati Mohota of WEst Bengal split the point in 34 moves of Slav Defence in a double bishop versus bishop and knight ending. Another five-time national championBhagyashree Thipsay of IDBI got the better of experienced Bindu Saritha of Kerala in Tchigorin defence in 64 moves after capturing a pawn in time pressure in a minor pieces ending.

Results

Swati Ghate (Mah) 1 bt Vijayalakshmi(IA) 0; Anupama Gokhale (PSCB) 0.5 drew with Swati Mohota (West Bengal) 0.5; Bindu Saritha (Ker) 0 lost to Bhagyashree Thipsay (IDBI) 1; Pallavi Shah (Mah) 0 lost to Safira Shanaz (TN) 1; Aarthie R. (TN) 1 bt Sheena (Ker) 0; D.C.Bose (Bih) 0 lost to K.Humpy (AP) 1. Meenakshi (TN) bye.