Top seed Koneru Humpy of Andhra Pradesh, yet to taste defeat, moved closer to a well-deserved title after defeating Woman Grandmaster Nisha Mohota (LIC) to swell her tally to 14.5 points after 15 rounds in the 30th National women's `A' chess championship in Kozikhode on Tuesday.
But some poor performances in her remaining matches, the reigning Asian champion is all set to emerge winner as S Vijayalakshmi of Indian Airlines, her nearest rival, is still 1.5 points behind with only two rounds left in the Oilum Beauty Soap-sponsored tournament.
Employing Binoni defence, Humpy beat Mohota decisively in 46 moves after the latter, in a Queen-pawn opening, repeatedly allowed the Andhra girl to take advantage right from the start.
Though Humpy will take on Vijayalakshmi in the concluding round on Thursday in what is billed as the most-exciting clash, a victory tomorrow against Kruttika Nadig of Maharashtra will ensure her the coveted title.
Adopting English opening, Vijayalakshmi looked to be in trouble initially as Swati Ghate (LIC) enjoyed a better position till half way through. However, the Chennai girl bounced back with an exchange up that was soon followed by Queen exchange.
After Vijayalakshmi went a rook up against the two-pawn position of Swati, the latter resigned on the 66th move.
Dronavalli Harika, who held Humpy to her only draw in the tournament in the 12th round, moved to the third spot with 10 points after easily overcoming the Slav defence of C V Rajalakshmi (TN) in 29 moves.
S Meenakshi (TN) and Mohota, with 9.5 points apiece, were in the joint fourth place followed by Eesha Karvade (MAH) with nine points.
While Meenakshi scalped M R Sangeetha (TN), whose Reti opening lasted only 32 moves, Karvade effectively used her Sicilian defence involving dragon variation to split points with the more experienced Bagyashree Thipsay (IDBI) in 40 moves.
In the other games, Sai Meera (IB) lost to Delhi's Tania Sachdev, while Anupama Gokhale (BP) settled for a draw with Y Prathiba (TN) in 67 moves.
Defending champion Aarthie Ramaswamy (TN), for whom the tournament has been a nightmare, finally notched up a win after five consecutive defeats, against Humpy's sister Koneru Chandrahawsa (AP). The Tamil Nadu girl has 7.5 points.
Tournament sensation Kruttika, who earned her maiden IWM norm earlier, comfortably downed Saheli Nath (BEN) in 81 moves.
