Prathiba in title race

India's Y Prathiba took a step closer to the Asian junior girls' chess title when she recorded an easy win over compatriot (8.0) Mary Ann Gomes in a ninth round match in Negombo, Sri Lanka, on Friday.

With two more rounds to go, the victory gave Prathiba (8) a huge and probably decisive lead of 1.5 points ahead of  teammate J E Kavitha.

In the 26th edition of the Open section, being played simultaneously, the battle heated up after International Master norm-holder  S Poobesh Anand caught up with overnight leader IM P Magesh Chandran after scoring over Abhijit Gupta.

Magesh drew the ninth round game with Prathmesh Mokal in a Sicilian game that lasted under 20 moves. The draw helped Poobesh catch up with Magesh on 7 points, while double IM norm-holder Prathmesh Mokal and National Junior champion S Arun Prasad are following closely with 6.5 points each.

Top seed Vietnamese Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (6), who was caught in a string of draws in the middle of the tournament, came back into reckoning with an emphatic win over India's G Rohit (5). The defeat came as a big blow to Rohit's medal hopes and his high rating may also take a knock.

Chennai-based Prathiba continued her fine run defeating Gomes in a Sicilian Najdorf game that lasted 41 moves.

Early exchange of pieces along with ambitious play by both the players saw some exciting middle game. Both the kings were exposed, but in the ensuing melee Prathiba emerged a pawn up. She nurtured her position well thereon to add a valuable point in her kitty.

Andhra girl Nalluri Vinuthna held defending champion WIM Tania Sachdev to a draw in a Kings Indian game lasting 47 moves. Despite trying hard, Tania couldn't dent Vinuthna's defence and peace was signed at a level position.

Results: (Round 9)

Boys (Indians unless specified): P Magesh Chandran (7) drew Prathmesh S Mokal (6.5); Abhijit Gupta (6) lost to S Poobesh Anand (7); Deep Sengupta (5) lost to S Arun Prasad (6.5); Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (6, Vie) beat G Rohit (5); Akshayraj Kore (6) beat Khamzim Olzhas (5, Kaz); Hoang Canh Huan (4.5, Vie) lost to Deepan Chakkravarthy (6); D Priyadarshana (5.5, SL) beat De Silva Taamara (4.5, SL); Chandrasiri Thilina (5) beat Akbarnia Syed Arash (4); D R N K B Dehigama (5, SL) beat P Goonewardene (4, SL).

Girls: Y Prathiba (8) beat Mary Ann Gomes (5.5); Saheli Nath (6) lost to J E Kavitha (6.5); Krutika Nadig (6) drew Mahima Rajmohan (5.5); Tania Sachdev (5.5) drew N Vinuthna (5); J Rajasurya (6) beat Konara Harshani (4.5, SL); H Nilavoli (5.5) beat Luong Phong Hanh (4.5, Vie); Kathryn Ann Cruz (5, Phi) beat Yasoda U G Methmali (4, SL); D M P Maheshika (3.5, SL) lost to Donavalli Harika (5).