Viji's main rival Swati Ghate of Maharashtra met her match in No 2 seed and team-mate Pallavi Shah while 12-year-old Koneru Humpy of AP dented the reputation of five-time champion Anupama Gokhale of PSCB in two significant games of Round 9.

With Safira and Anupama remaining on 5.5 points and five points respectively, there will be tough fight for the fourth spot in the next our rounds as Viji, Bhagyashree and Swati look set to grab the first three places.

Vijayalakshmi took 90 minutes to crush sister Meenakshi in 42 moves ofReti Opening after ripping open the centre and marching her Kingside pawns. A pawn exchange on move 16 had pushed Meenakshi to a tight corner from which she lost an exchange on move 27 and then more later.

Despite her nice cushion, Viji was modest while assessing her chances: ``My first round defeat could still prove costly. I have to play Anupama and Pallavi,'' she said.

Swati Ghate was in tears again after she fell to Pallavi Shah in the open variation of Sicilian defence. Swati opted for the Keres Attack after castling long but then by move 19, Pallavi attacked relentlessly keeping her own King in the centre and won an exchange. After 24 moves the game was over as Swati faced further trouble.

Like Pallavi, Bhagyashree too came up with strong attack from the black side against Safira and broke through white's Kingside. Safira's Queenside counter was not strong enough as Bhagyashree threatened mate by move 35. Safira had to give a rook in time trouble and her chances hinged on a passed pawn in theQueen-rook file. In the end, Safira had no time to come out of the attack and faced the loss of more material by move 48.

Anupama adopted the Grunfeld Defence against Humpy, who came into her own in a Queen, double rook, bishop ending. Anupama's hopes were on a bishop ending but with the heavy pieces combining well, Humpy promoted the Queen-pawn and trapped the five-time champion's bishop after 32 moves.

In two insignificant games, Dolan Champa Bose and Bindu Saritha drew in 34 moves of French Defence and Sheena split the point with Swati Mohota in 42 moves of Slav Defence.

Results

Ninth round: Vijayalakshmi (IA) 7 bt Meenakshi (TN) 2.5; Swati Ghate (Mah) 6 lost to Pallavi Shah (Mah) 4; Safira Shanaz (TN) 5.5 lost to Bhagyashree Thipsay (IDBI) 6.5; Humpy (AP) 4 bt Anupama Gokhale (PSCB) 5;Dolan Champa Bose (Bihar) 2 drew with BinduSaritha (Kerala) 1.5; Sheena (Kerala) 1.5 drew with Swati Mohota (W Bengal) 4. Aarthie Ramaswamy 4.5 bye.