Padmini Rout in sole lead in National Women's Chess

International Master and defending champion Padmini Rout of PSPB remained on course for another title triumph by settling for a draw with teammate Soumya Swaminathan in the 5th round of the 43rd National Women Premier Chess Championship now in progress here.
On a day that witnessed hard-fought encounters and big upsets, Padmini was on the defensive side of a Catalan opening as black and did not face many problems in holding her fort against former world junior girls' champion Soumya.
The pieces changed hands at regular intervals in this encounter and the peace was signed after 59 moves.
The day belonged to M Mahalakshmi of Tamil Nadu who defeated over-night co-leader S Vijalakshmi of Air India in a fine display.

Vijayalakshmi could have walked away with a draw in a routine position but went for unwarranted complications that led to ruins of her position. The game lasted 100 moves, but Mahalakshmi was on top for most of it once Vijayalakshmi decided it was 'game on' instead of a draw.
The biggest upset of the event thus far was recorded by Woman Grandmaster Swati Ghate of LIC who defeated her Pune city-mate and top seed Eesha Karavade of PSPB in a thrilling game.

Swati went for a king side attack from a Caro Kann opening and for Eesha nothing worked right in the wild complexities that ensued. Swati won in 44 moves. This was no ordinary day as Nisha Mohota of LIC also fought for 141 moves but lowest ranked P Bala Kannamma denied her senior partner a full point. The players had reached a rook versus Bishop end game in this duel.

As a result of some fierce contest, Padmini Rout is now in sole first position on four points out of a possible five and Vijalakshmi and Soumya trail her a half point behind. There are six more rounds remaining in the Rs. 6 lakh prize money championship.
Results (Round-5) :- R Vaishali of TN (2) drew with Mary Ann Gomes of PSPB (2.5); Kiran Manisha Mohanty of LIC (2) beat Pratyusha Bodda of AP (.5); Swati Ghate of LIC (1.5) beat Eesha Karavade of PSPB (3); Soumya Swaminathan of PSPB (3.5) drew with Padmini Rout of PSPB (4); Nisha Mohota of PSPB (2.5) drew with Bala Kannamma P of TN (2.5); Mahalakshmi M of TN (2.5) beat IM Vijayalakshmi S of AI (3.5).