Madhurima jumps into sole lead
Madhurima Shekhar ponders over her next move against Michelle Catherina during their fourth round match in New Delhi on Monday.
Continuing her impressive show, Asian School Under-15 gold medallist and local hope Madhurima Shekhar took the sole lead, after defeating Michelle Catherina of Tamil Nadu in the fourth round of the ongoing Amity 39th national women’s challengers chess championship in the capital on Monday.
Opting for the Scotch game, Madhurima exhibited sharp end game skills to overpower her higher rated Tamil Nadu rival in 43 moves.
Meanwhile, other overnight joint leaders Tejaswini Sagar of Maharahstra and M. Mahalakshmi of Tamil Nadu settled for a draw after 40 moves.
In other key fourth round encounters, top seed Chandika Divyasree of Andhra Pradesh escaped from the claws of defeat to split the points against Harini S. of Tamil Nadu, while Swati Mohota of West Bengal outwitted second seed Rucha Pujari of Maharahstra in a closely-contested game.
Third seed Nimmy A.G. of Kerala got the better of state-mate Meenu Rajendran to be on the top board along with Madhurima for the fifth round.
Earlier after the third round on Sunday, four players including Madhurima, who stunned experienced N. Raghavi of Tamil Nadu, shared the lead with full points.
Mahalakshmi and Catherina defeated their Kerala rivals C.H. Meghna and Anjana Krishna respectively, to be at the top of point table alongwith Madhurima and Tejaswini.
Tejaswini saw off compatriot Amruta Mokal in a well-fought encounter that lasted for 53 moves.
Playing black side of advanced variation in French Defence game, Madhurima exploited the weakness of the Queen side of Raghavi to register a creditable win in 56 moves.
In other results, the top board battle between second seed Pujari and Harini S. of Tamil Nadu ended without a decisive result.
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