Humpy creates national record

Continuing her remarkable run, top seed Koneru Humpy remained the sole leader and in the process created a new national record by winning 11 consecutive rounds in the National Women's `A' chess championship underway at Kozhikode.

Ironically, the reigning Asian women's champion beat Bagyashree Thipsay in the 10th round to rewrite the record hitherto held by the latter, who won nine out of nine during the National women's championship in Jalandhar in 1986.

The Vijayawada girl later defeated Anupama Gokhale in a King's Indian defence by forcing her opponent to resign in the 29th move to carry her title campaign in style.

Trailing behind the leader with 10 points was second seed S Vijayalakshmi (TN) with Nisha Mohota (LIC) taking the third spot with 7.5 points.

Defending champion and fourth seed Aarthie Ramaswamy's nightmare continued when she lost to statemate Vijayalakshmi earlier in the day and again lost to Swati Ghate (LIC).

Employing Morphy defence to Aarthie's Ruy Lopez opening, Swati gained the initiative right from the start and after Aarthie erred in the 19th move to lose a Knight, she continued to enjoy an upper hand.

Once Swati gained a bishop in the 32nd, Aarthie resigned in the next move to end up with six points and finish a poor sixth on the table.

Vijayalakshmi's sister, Meenakshi, who has been showing remarkable improvement after a lethargic start, beat Sai Meera and M R Sangeetha (TN) to collect 6.5 points and remain fifth behind the joint fourth pair of Eesha Karvade (MAH) and Dronavalli Harika (AP).

After overcoming Swati earlier in the day, Harika, runner up in the Asian women's meet, could manage only a draw against Saheli Nath.

Tournament sensation, Kruttika Nadig (MAH), who upstaged Aarthie yesterday, beat Sangeetha and then earned a  well-deserved draw with WGM Mohota to take her tally to six points.