By IANS,
New Delhi : Kruttika Nadig recorded a resounding victory against Asian Junior Champion Mary Ann Gomes in the eighth round of 35th Parsvnath National Women Chess Championship to move closer to the title Thursday.
Kruttika now has 6.5 points and maintains a full point lead against top seed Tania Sachdev, as the latter failed to produce a decisive result in her game against Padmini Rout.
Playing black side of Queen Pawan Richter-Veresov attack, Kruttika displayed a fine attacking game and garnered full point in 48 moves.
On the other hand, Tania after getting to a winning position blundered in the end to give half point to Orissa girl Padmini after 66 moves in Grunfeld Defence.
In the crucial ninth round game Friday, Tania takes on leader Kruttika with black pieces.
Women Grandmaster Eesha Karavade defeated Bhakti Kulkarni and occupies the third spot with 4.5 points.
In other eighth round matches, seasoned campaigner Women Grandmaster Nisha Mohota overcame Amrutha Mokal in just 28 moves and former champion Swathi Ghate got better of Soumya Swaminathan after 51 moves in Ruy Lopez opening. Chennai based Pon N Krithika once again showed her mettle to beat Women International Master Kiran Manisha Mohanty in Alekhine Defence.
Results of Round 8: Amrutha Mokal (3.5) lost to Nisha Mohota (4), Mary Ann Gomes (3) lost to Kruttika Nadig (6.5), Tania Sachdev (5.5) drew with Padmini Rout (3.5), Soumya Swaminathan (4) lost to Swathi Ghate (3.5), Eesha Karavade (4.5) lost to Bhakti Kulkarni (3.5), Kiran Manisha Mohanty (2.5) lost to Pon N Krithika (4).