Rout outwits Viji to consolidate lead

With 6.5 points, the Odisha girl is now a full point clear of her nearest rivals and PSPB teammates Eesha Karavade and Soumya Swaminathan. Vijayalakshmi had to accept doubled pawns on the Kingside in Ruy Lopez. Rout exploited this weakness and struck at the right time when she sacrificed a knight to get back a rook and take the attack to mate after 49 moves. Tamil Nadu players Kannamma, Vaishali and Mahalakshmi too lost their eighth-round games. Giant-killer Bala Kannamma lost to Mary Ann Gomes in 72 moves of Sicilian Defence. Mary Ann created passed pawns on both sides in a bishop ending.