Soumya sole leader, Swati slips joint third

National subjunior champion G K Monnisha upset overnight leader Swati Ghate in a marathon battle as Soumya Swaminathan jumped to sole lead after ninth round of the 40th National Women Premier Chess Championship here today.
Soumya outplayed Odisha's Kiran Manisha Mohanty in a rook and bishop ending to emerge sole leader with 6.5 points, while two-time defending champion Mary Ann Gomes and Padmini Rout remained half a point adrift.
The shock loss gave a severe jolt to Swati's title hopes as she slipped to joint third position with top seed Tania Sachdev with 5.5 points each.
Monnisha stole the limelight as she spoilt Swati's brilliant run in a Sicilian Maroczy bind and kept the leader on the defensive.

Monnisha later effectively used her rook and passed pawns on the queenside to win the game that stretched up to 91 moves, the longest in the championship.
Eyeing a hat trick of titles, local favourite Mary Ann kept her hopes alive as she downed Nisha Mohta.

Padmini too logged a full point with a win over 14-year-old Ivana Furtado of Goa in an advanced Caro Kan defence.
Top seed Tania was held to a draw by Bhakit Kulkarni in a game lasting 74 moves.
Results (round 9)
WFM G K Monnisha (TN) (3) bt WGM Swati Ghate (LIC) (5.5); WGM Bhakti Kulkarni (Goa) (3.5) drew IM Tania Sachdev (AI) (5.5) ; WGM Kiran Manisha Mohanty (LIC) (3.5) lost to WGM Soumya Swaminathan (PSPB) (6.5); Bodda Pratyusha (AP) (4.5) bt Michelle Catherina (TN) (2); WGM Padmini Rout (Odisha) (6) bt WIM Ivana Maria Furtado (Goa) (4.5); IM Nisha Mohota (PSPB) (3.5) lost to WGM Mary Ann Gomes (W.B.) (6).