Defending champion Viji of Indian Airlines, who had lost to Safira in National A at Calcutta (1997) and Mumbai (1998), has now bounced back into lead after this win over her Chennai-mate.

Pointwise, Safira, on 4.5 points from six games, shared lead with five-time champion Bhagyashree Thipsay of IDBI and Swati Ghate of Maharashtra but practically, Viji was also in the same bracket on four points as she had played only five games.

Safira, facing Queens Indian Defence Petrosian System, lost her way between moves 13 and 19, handing her opponent a big initiative. Posting her knight in the centre, Viji exerted pressure on Kingside and sacrificed her bishop on the 35th move to break open the King-rook file. Threatening mate in time pressure, Viji then won Safira's queen forrook. With two extra pawns, the defending champion won in 44 moves.

Bhagyashree punished 12-year-old Koneru Humpy's passive play in the French Defence Advanced variation. Castling on the Queenside, Humpy wasted precious time before trying to attack on the Kingside. Bhagyashree, in the meanwhile, had launched herself into a Queenside attack with her 13th move, pawn push in the Queen-bishop file. Breaking open the Queen-knight file with the rooks and Queen, the former champion came up with mating attacks that won her solid material and the game by move 34.

Swati Ghate dropped half point against Meenakshi S of TN in Queen's Gambit Accepted. Meenakshi dragged her into a knight and pawn ending which was drawn after 44 moves.

Five-time champion Anupama Gokhale of PSCB was impressive in her 49-move win over Aarthie R of TN in Kings Indian Defence. In a technical finish, Anupama had protected passed pawns on the Queenside and in the centre with just the queens on the board. It looked an even struggle till move41 when white (Anupama) found her simple pawn push in the King-knight file which ultimately decided the course of the game in the ending.

Bindu Saritha had her chances to force the issue in the Benko Gambit against No 2 seed Pallavi Shah of Maharashtra but early simplification and queen exchange took the game to a rook ending which was drawn after 40 moves.

Swati Mohota of West Bengal and Dolan Champa Bose of Bihar played the shortest draw of this event in 12 moves enabling Dolan to open her account, though with half a point.

RESULTS

6th round: Safira Shanaz (TN) 4.5 lost to Vijayalakshmi (IA) 4; Meenakshi (TN) 1.5 drew with Swati Ghate (Mah) 4.5; Bhagyashree Thipsay (IDBI) 4.5 bt K Humpy (AP) 2.5; Swati Mohota (W.Bengal) 3 drew with Dolan Champa Bose (Bih) 0.5; Anupama Gokhale (PSCB) 3.5 bt Aarthie Ramaswamy (TN) 2.5; Bindu Saritha (Ker) 1 drew with Pallavi Shah (Mah) 3. Sheena (1) bye