Harsha, Sakshi lead after 7th round of National Jr Chess

International Master Harsha Bharatkoti of Telangana and Sakshi Chitlange of Maharashtra emerged sole leaders in the boys and girls sections respectively with 6.5 points each after the seventh round of Khadi India National Junior Chess Championship, here today.
Trailing the leaders with six points are Fide Master Karthik Venkatraman (Bengal) and M Mahalaxami (Tamil Nadu).
Playing with white, Bharathkoti displayed skill in manoeuvring of pieces that gave him better co-ordination on flanks and helped him win a pawn and the game as well against Mitrabha Guha of Bengal at the Patliputra Sports Complex here.
On the second board, FM Karthik Venkatraman (Andhra) proved his superiority in Queen Pawn opening against team mate IM Krishna Teja. His command over the centre and the mobility of his pieces decided the issue in 49 moves.

Reigning champion Kumar Gaurav of Bihar outclassed his opponent S Dhananjay of Chhattisgarh with a combined attack of Queen, Rook, Knight and Bishop on the open g file. However, a weak move spoilt his chances to score full points and they agreed ]split points.
Mohammad Nubair Shah Sheikh (Maharashtra) lost against Hemanth Ram (Tamil Nadu) in a well fought game of Queen's gambit exchange variation. Playing with black, Hemant went for early exchange of pieces and forced Sheikh to resign in 52nd moves.

In the girls section, Sakshi Chitalange (Maharashtra) demonstrated her supremacy in the end game of Caro Kann defence against V Varshini of Tamil Nadu. The game went in favour of the former in 76 moves.

Tamil Nadu girl Mahalaxami got a commanding position in a game of Slav defence against her opponent Maunika Akshaya of Andhra Pradesh. Mounika tried to sustain till 59 moves but ultimately lost.
Harshita Gudanti of Andhra and Nityata Jain of Madhya Pradesh won their respective games against Meenal Gupta of J&K andShristi Pandey of Maharashtra to share the third spot jointly.