Bhakti Kulkarni in lead; Catherina checkmates Viji

Bhakti Kulkarni in the lead after a 35-move win over former winner Swati Ghate.

File photo: Bhakti Kulkarni (left) enjoys a half-point lead over former champion Mary Ann Gomes.

Fourth seed Bhakti Kulkarni emerged as the sole leader after eight rounds following a 35-move triumph over former winner Swati Ghate in the National Women Chess Championship here on Friday.

Bhakti, one of the three overnight leaders, has seven points. She enjoys a half-point lead over former champion Mary Ann Gomes, M. Mahalakshmi and P. Catherina Michelle.

Catherina served a serious blow to the title-hopes of six-time winner S. Vijayalakshmi with a 53rd move checkmate after the Mary-Mahalakshmi encounter ended in a 31-move draw.