Harika maintains winning spree

Chennai: Top seeded IM Dronavalli Harika (AP) maintained her winning spree, defeating WFM Pon N Krithika to stay in the lead after the second round of the 36th National Women Premier Chess Championship here today. Harika wrapped up the game in 24 moves from the white side of Dutch Stonewall variation. Harika, IM Tania Sachdev (Delhi), WGMs Meenakshi (Air India)and Kruttiga Nadig (Maharashtra) and Candidate Master Bhakti Kulkarni (Goa) are leading the pack with two points each. On the 2nd board, Tania Sachdev played the London System as white against Sitalatchumi of TN and went for longside castling. When the game was offering less chances, Sitalatchumi faltered to lose a pawn on the 49th move and eventually threw in the towel. Kruttika Nadig outplayed Mary Ann Gomes from a game arising out of French classical variation on the third board. Play revolved around the king file for most part of the game where Nadig had a better control. Mary had to concede an exchange on the 32nd move to avert mating attack to end up with a bishop and knight for Nadig`s Rook and Knight. Mary tried to save the game but Nadig`s queen knight pawn was threatening to queen and she resigned after 42 moves. WGM Meenakshi chose the Petroff defenCe and castled long against WIM Saimeera. Meenakshi was having two rooks and knight against her opponent`s Queen and knight and went up by an exchange when Sai erred on the 29th move overlooking a discovered check. Meenakshi won in 41 moves. Bhakti Kulkarni of Goa was convincing in her victory over CH Savetha (TN). Opting for the less played Larsen Bronstein variation in the Carokan defense, Bhakti won in 32 moves. Soumya drew with Eesha Karavade in an attacking game of Ruy Lopez. The Queen and pawn ending offered less chances for both and the players agreed for a truce. Similarly the game between Mohota sisters -- Swati and Nisha -- ended in a draw in 23 moves. WGM Aarthie Ramaswamy recovered from yesterday`s shocking defeat to score a win over Amruta Mokal of Maharashtra in 27 moves. PTI