Ghate emerges as sole leader

Woman Grandmaster Swati Ghate of LIC emerged as the sole leader after the conclusion of 2nd round of the Women's Premier Chess Championship here today.
Playing white, against former National champion and International Master Tania Sachdev of Air India, Swati was in control of the position throughout the game in an Italian defence.
Tania overlooked a maneuver on move 25, which resulted in a loss of pawn for her, a few moves later. In a technically winning queen endgame, Swati made no mistake and wrapped up the game with ease.
WGM Soumya Swaminthan of PSPB too was impressive on the day as she outwitted K Priyanka of Tamil Nadu by sacrificing her knight for 3 pawns in a Sicilian Najdorf.

With her opponent's king in the centre, Soumya had a strong attack and kept up the pressure despite being exchange down.
She ended up in a bishop versus knight ending 3 pawns up and eventually won on the 38th move.
Defending champion Padmini Rout of Odisha got the better of WGM Bhakti Kulkarni in a sharp tactical battle where Padmini scarified her knight on the 9th move for two pawns and an attack.
She later got a rook for two minor pieces and 3 extra pawns and went on to win the game with clinical precision.