Vijayalakshmi wins Nat. women's chess crown

Woman Grandmaster S Vijayalakshmi of Indian Airlines created chess history by winning the national title for the sixth time, the fifth in a row, after defeating International Woman Master Saheli Dhar-Barua in the final round of Women's National 'A' chess championship in Lucknow on Monday.

Former World Under-18 girls' champion Aarthie Ramaswamy of Tamil Nadu finished a creditable second after settling for a quick draw with state-mate Safira Shanaz.

Aarthie finished with eight points, 1.5 points behind Vijaylakshmi.

IWM Swati Ghate of LIC also finished with eight points after the Pune-based girl demolished young Tania Sachdev of Delhi.

In the Koya system used to break the tie, Aarthie's results against those finishing with a 50 per cent and over score was better than Swati's.

Vijayalakshmi's younger sister and Indian Airlines player S Meenakshi (7) took the fourth spot and also booked a berth alongwith the other top three finishers to the Women's Chess Olympiad after beating former National champion IWM Anupama Gokhale of PSCB.

Meenakshi's cause was also helped by the outcome of the Bhagyashree Thipsay and D Harika ecounter. IDBI's Bhagyashree rallied from an inferior position to beat Harika, Andhra Pradesh's chess prodigy.

After losing to Dolan Champa Bose of Bihar in the penultimate round, Bhagyashree (7), who led the tournament at one stage, was virtually out of contention for top honours. With almost nothing at stake, Bhagyashree played recklessly and found herself in grave difficulty against Harika.

Luck smiled on Bhagyashree when Harika blundered after being in a commanding position and lost the game. The defeat not only cost Harika a berth in the Indian team for Olympiad but also the IWM title.

Vijayalakshmi crushed Saheli of Eastern Railway in a one-sided game arising out of a Queens Gambit Declined. Saheli couldn't put up any resistance once Vijayalakshmi started attacking on the queen side where both had earlier castled.

Later Vijayalakshmi sacrificed a knight to rip open black's position and created a mating attack to force Saheli's resignation in 34 moves.

For Swati it was crucial match against Tania. The Delhi teenager played the Queens Gambit Accepted and faced Swati's aggression in the middle game. Tania's pieces appeared a little awkward as Swati got control by winning a pawn. To make matters worse, Tania landed in time pressure and on 38th move she missed a knight fork to lose her bishop and the game.

Against Anupama Gokhale, Meenakshi won in 39 moves without much ado in a game of Pirc defence.

Results (final round): S Vijayalakshmi bt Saheli Dhar Barua; Safira Shanaz drew Aartie Ramaswamy; Swati Ghate bt Tania Sachdev; S Meenakshi bt Anupama Gokhale; Bhagyashree Thipsay bt D Harika; Esha Kavade bt M Saimeera Ravi; Dolan Champa Bose had a bye.

Final placings: 1. S Vijayalakshmi 9.5; 2. Aarthie Ramaswamy 8; 3. Swati Ghate 8 ; 4. S Meenakshi 7.5; 5. Bhagyashre Thipsay 7 ; 6. D Harika 7 ; 7. Saheli Dhar Barua 6.5; 8. Eesha Karvade 6 ; 9. Tania Sachdev 4.5; 10. M Saimeera 4.5; 11. Dolan Champa Bose 3.5; 12. Anupama Gokhale 3.5, 13. Safira Shanaz - 2.5.