Kiran emerges sole leader

Hyderabad, May 26 (UNI) Second seed Kiran Manisha Mohanty emerged the sole leader with eight points at the end of nine rounds in the 34th National Women-B Chess Championship here today.

Playing with Black, Kiran Manisha Mohanty employing Sicilian defence had an edge over her rival in the end game, with which she forced Divyasri to resign after 54 moves.

Top seed Padmini Rout playing with White could not exploit her advantageous position and was held by Swati Mohoto.

Important results of 8th round: Meera Sai, BSB (6) lost to Padmini Rout, ORI (7), Kiran Manisha Mohanty, ORI (7) bt Divyasri, AP (6), Priya, TN (6) drew with Preethi, TN (6), Mohana Priya, TN (5) lost to Nimmy, KER (6), Swati Mohota, WB (6) bt Gagare Shalmali, MAH (5), Athirai, TN (5.5) drew with Anuprita Patil, MAH (5.5), Rajadharshini, TN (5.5) drew with Mili Ghosh, WB (5.5), Pon N Krithika, TN (5.5) drew with Savetha, TN (5.5), Kanuri Tejaswi, AP (5) lost to Sithalatchumi, TN (6), Shruthi, KAR (4.5) lost to Ramya Krishna, AP (5.5).

Important results of 9th round: Padmini Rout (7.5) drew with Swati Mohoto (6.5), Preeti (6) lost to Kiran Manisha Mohanty (8), Nimmy (6.5) drew with Sai Meera (6.5), Divyasri (6.5) drew with Priya (6.5), Sithalatchumi (6) lost to Lakshmi Sahiti (6.5), Alka Das (5.5) lost to Ramya Krishna (6.5), Anupreeta Patil (6) drew with Dave Dhyani (6), Sangeeta (6.5) bt Athirai (5.5), Savetha (5.5) lost to Rajadarshini (6.5), Ketaki Kulkarni (6) drew with Pon N Krithika (6).

UNI