AICF International Woman Grandmaster: Divya Deshmukh in sole lead

Divya Deshmukh registers two wins to snatch the sole lead with 4.5 points.

Divya Deshmukh (in picture) defeated V. Varshini and Franco Valencia Angela on Thursday. Photo: Special Arrangement

Woman International Master Divya Deshmukh snatched the sole lead with 4.5 points after the sixth round of the Velammal-AICF Woman Grandmaster round robin chess tournament held at Hotel Abu Sarovar Portico, here, on Thursday.

Two wins on a double-round day against V. Varshini and Franco Valencia Angela propelled the Nagpur girl to sole lead. Following Divya behind at four points were Osmak Iulija and Babiy Olga (both from Ukraine) and Michelle Catherina (India).

Former World U-12 champion Divya Deshmukh consolidated her WGM Norm prospects with a fine win over Woman International Master Franco Valencia Angela of Columbia. Giving up her queen for two rooks, Divya swung her pieces with elan, catching the back-rank with a vice-like grip. Facing mate and multiple piece loss, Angela resigned on the 37th move.

In another interesting game, overnight leader P. Michelle Catherina went down to Kazakh girl Nakhbayeva Guliskhan.

• Round Six: Osmak Iulija (Ukr) 4.0 bt Munguntuul Batkhuyag (Mon) 3.5; V. Varshini 2.0 drew with Sapale Saloni 2.0; Franco Valencia Angela (Col) 1.0 lost to Divya Deshmukh 4.5; Nakhbayeva Guliskhan (Kaz) 3 bt P. Michelle Catherina 4; Uuriintuya Uurtsaikh (Mon) 3 bt Chandreyee Hajra 1.5; Babiy Olga (Ukr) 4.0 drew with Aakanksha Hagawane (3.5);
• Round Five: Babiy Olga 3.5 drew with Osmak Lulija 3; Aakanksha Hagawane 3.0 drew with Uuriintuya Uurtsaikh (Mon) 2; Chandreyee Hajra 1.5 lost to Nakhbayeva Guliskhan (Kaz) 2.0; P. Michelle Catherina 4; bt Franco Valencia Angela (Col) 1; Divya Deshmukh 3.5 bt V. Varshini 1.5; Sapale Saloni 1.5 drew with Munguntuul Batkhuyag (Mon) 3.5.