Vaishali maintains top position

Tamil Nadu'S R Vaishali maintained her pole position with her seventh victory on the trot in the Ram Ratna 42nd National Women's Challengers Chess Championship here today.
Woman Fide Master Vaishali (Elo rating 2276), playing with white, outclassed her state rival J Saranya, also a WFM with an Elo rating of 2126, in just 23 moves to log seven points, one clear of International Master Tania Sachdev (Elo 2413) who is in second place.
On top board, Vaishali sacrificed her knight on move 14 on e6 which was accepted by Saranya resulting in the opening of "f" file.
Unable to castle on King side Saranya sacrificed her knight on "d" file, but still had to resign after the 23rd move.

On board 2, top seed Tania of Air India defeated Nimmy George (Elo 2128) of Kerala in 43 moves.
On board 3, WIM Mitchelle Catherina P (2220) of Tamil Nadu played Ruy Lopez Steinitz defence against WGM Bhakti Kulkarni (2256) of Goa and ended up with a draw after a tough fight lasting over five hours and consuming 74 moves.

On board 4, young WIM Ivana Maria Furtado (2236) of Goa surprised IM Nisha Mohota (2277) of Petroleum Sports Promotion Board by breaching the Modern Defense played by her opponent.
After the seventh round, Vaishali led the field with 7 points, followed by Tania (6), in second spot.

In third position were WGM Bhakti Kulkarni (Goa), WIM Michelle Catherina (TN), WFM Rucha Pujari (Mah), WIM Ivana Maria Furtado (Goa) -- all with 5.5 points to their credit.
The top eight finishers in the tournament, organised by Diaspora Times on behalf of the All India Chess Federation, Maharashtra Chess Association and Thane District Chess Association, would gain entry into the National Women's Premier Championships (National A) to be held in mid-October.