Top seed Koneru Humpy emerged sole leader with three points at the end of the third round in the 30th National Women's 'A' Chess championship in Kozikhode on Monday.
The reigning Asian women's champion deployed the Queen-pawn opening on the top board to defeat Tania Sachdev, whose Nimzo Indian defence lasted only 32 moves.
Following Humpy in second spot are WGM Nisha Mohota and youngest IWM Dronavalli Harika besides defending champion and fourth seed Aarthie Ramaswamy, with 2.5 points each.
Employing Dutch defence against Eesha Karvade's Reti opening, Mohota settled for a draw after 27 moves, while Harika, runner-up in the Asian women's meet in August, also agreed to split points on the 18th move with Anupama Gokhale.
Five-time champion, Bhagyashree Thipsay's nightmare continued as she lost her third consecutive game to Aarthie, who adopted Sicilian defence.
Tamil Nadu's S Vijayalakshmi, who won the title six times, gained full points when she overpowered V Rajalakshmi in a Queen's Indian defence to finish with two points and take the third place along with Anupama and Koneru Chandrahawsa.
Results: (third round) Koneru Humpy 3 beat Tania Sachdev 1.5, S Meenakshi 1.5 beat Saheli Nath 0, Koneru Chandrahawsa 2 drew with Swati Ghate 1.5, C V Rajalakshmi 0 lost to S Vijayalakshmi 2, Y Prathiba 1.5 beat Krutika Nadig 1, Eesha Karvade 1.5 drew with Nisha Mohota 2.5, Sai Meera 1.5 beat M R Sangeetha 0.5, Bagyashree Thipsay 0 lost to Aarthie Ramaswamy 2.5, Anupama Gokhale 2 drew with D Harika 2.5.
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