Soumya joins Swati on leaderboard

Soumya Swaminathan today outwitted promising youngster R Vaishali to jump into the lead with Swati Ghate after round three of the National Women's Premier Chess Championship here today.
Soumya of PSCB defeated the world youth title winner Vaishali of Tamil Nadu with black in a knight ending as she along with Swati lead the fray with 2.5 points apiece.
Pratyusha Bodda of Andhra Pradesh produced the upset of the day stunning top seed and defending champion Padmini Rout as the Odisha girl playing black went down in 48 moves.
Overnight leader Swati kept her position intact atop the table with a draw against K Priyanka of Tamil Nadu in a Scotch game.

Former National champion Tania Sachdev of Air India was held to a draw by Priyanka Nutakki of Andhra Pradesh in a Bogo Indian defence.