Padmini Rout on track to defend title

International Master and defending champion Padmini Rout of PSPB remained on course for another title triumph by settling for a draw with team mate Soumya Swaminathan in the fifth round of the 43rd national womens’ premier chess championship on Monday.

On a day of hard-fought encounters and big upsets, Padmini was on the defensive side of a Catalan opening as black and did not face many problems against the former world junior girls’ champion. Pieces changed hands at regular intervals and peace was signed after 59 moves.

The day belonged to M. Mahalakshmi of Tamil Nadu who defeated co-leader S. Vijalakshmi of Air India in a fine display.

Vijayalakshmi could have walked away with a draw in a routine position but went for complications that led to the ruin of her position. The game lasted 100 moves, but Mahalakshmi was on top for most of it once Vijayalakshmi decided it was ‘game on’ instead of a draw.

The biggest upset of the event thus far was recorded by Woman Grandmaster Swati Ghate of LIC who defeated Pune city-mate and top seed Eesha Karavade of PSPB in a thrilling game. Swati went for a king side attack from a Caro Kann opening and for Eesha nothing worked right in the wild complexities that ensued. Swati won in 44 moves.

Nisha Mohota of LIC also fought for 141 moves but lowest ranked P. Bala Kannamma denied her senior partner a full point. The players had reached a rook versus Bishop end game in this duel.

Rout is now in sole first place on four points out of a possible five and Vijalakshmi and Soumya trail her by a half point. Six rounds remain in the Rs 6,00,000 prize money championship.