Saheli's decision could be because she feared harassment in case she let her employers down. In a telephonic talk from Calcutta, GM Dibyendu Barua, Saheli's coach and husband, said they had made all arrangements to come down to Kozhikode with their six-month old baby child but problems regarding `leave' for Saheli forced the cancellation of the trip.

The Inter-Railway chess competition isusually held in June/July and this time South Eastern Railway are the hosts. Though they do not have a strong team (Saheli is their only reputed player), the SER sports management must be counting on the valuable points Saheli could bring in from individual events while denying her the right to play in the National. Barua recounted the stress Saheli had to undergo in 1997 when she skipped the Inter-Railways in favour of the European circuit. After that incident, the Baruas have decided that rubbing the ignorant authorities on the wrong side was no good.

``The clash of dates did not matter to Railway Sports Board, as Saheli is their only reputed chess player,'' explained Barua. ``If it were the men's event, they would have certaily paid heed to the dates as there are three or four Railway men players in National A.''

All India Chess Federation secretary PT Ummer Koya said the step taken by SER was against the policy of the Union government. ``How can you deny a top player the right to play for her countryfor one year just because she has to play in a comparatively insignificant tournament,'' he wondered. He said he would be writing to the sports ministry regarding the mix-up and hoped to find a solution. Curiously, the Railway Sports Promotion Board, Delhi was aware of the National as the AICF had communicated with it regarding Saheli's clearance and had even got a positive reply.

Saheli's absence has brought the 25th National Women A field to 13 players. Saheli was on a comeback trail having won the National B (her third title in eight attempts) at Chennai last year even when she was pregnant. The players' meeting of National A will be held tomorrow and the championship will be inaugurated on Tuesday at 11 a.m. with the first round slated for Tuesday afternoon.