Women Challengers chess championship: Seven tie for second spot

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With seven rounds having been completed, a clear table topper was yet to emerge at the 40th National Women Challengers chess championship in Thrissur on Tuesday.
As many as seven players were tied for the top spot. IM Nisha Mohota was held to a draw on the top board by Mahalakshmi M.
The duo shared the lead with Monnisha G K, Soumya Swaminathan, Swathi Ghate, Pratyusha Bodda and Ivana Maria Furtado, who are all 5.5 points each.
Top seed Padmini Rout and second seed Soumya found their winning touch, after recent upsets, to stay in the hunt. After a stellar start, Ashwini U was handed her second loss, by defending champion Michelle Catherina.
Goa girl Ivana drew with WGM Swathi Ghate. Kerala's top seed Nimmy A George improved her tally to 5 after splitting points with WGM Kiran Manisha Mohanty .