Vijayalakshmi maintains slender lead

International Master Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman of Air India managed a slender half a point lead at 8.5 points after the 10th and penultimate round of the 43rd National Women Challengers Chess Championship here today.
Vijayalakshmi scored over Varshini V in 56 moves.
Earlier, Michelle Catherina P (Air India) stunned overnight joint leader Swati Ghate (LIC), moving into clear second spot at 8.0 points here at the Nehru Stadium.
Further half a point behind at 7.5 points were Swati, Soumya Swaminathan (PSPB) and Vaishali R (TN).
In crucial final round pairings, former National women champion Mary Ann Gomes (7) faces leader Vijayalakshmi (8.5), while Michelle Catherina P (8) takes on Vaishali R (7.5). In the third board, Soumya Swaminathan (7.5) crosses swords against Swati Ghate (7.5) in an all-Pune clash.

The top eight finishers qualify for the National Women Premier Chess Championship to be held later this year.
Important Results (Round 10): Swati Ghate (7.5) lost to Michelle Catherina P (8), Vijayalakshmi S (8.5) bt Varshini V (6.5), Kiran Manisha Mohanty (7) drew with Vaishali R (7), Bala Kannamma P (6.5) lost to Soumya (7.5), Lasya G (7) drew with Arpita Mukherjee (7), Srija Seshadri (6) lost to Karavade Eesha (7), Cholleti Sahajasri (6.5) drew with Pratyusha Bodda (6.5), Tarini Goyal (6) lost to Gomes Mary Ann (7), Mohota Nisha (6.5) drew with Chitlange Sakshi (6.5), Mahalakshmi M (7) bt Jain Nityata (6).