MPL 48th National Women R10: Can Divya repeat history?

Mary keeps things interesting

WGM Mary Ann Gomes (PSPB) defeated WGM Srija Seshadri (TN) to ensure the tournament stays interesting till the very last round. She is the only player who can catch up or overtake WGM Divya Deshmukh (MAH). WGM Vantika Agrawal (DEL) and IM Bhakti Kulkarni (Goa) are at 7.5/10 each, followed by eight players at 7/10.

Isha - Divya: 0.5-0.5

WGM Divya Deshmukh (MAH, 2347) could have won her game against WIM Isha Sharma (KAR, 2212) and maintained her full point lead heading into the final round.

White had to save her knight 27.Ne5 Qd5 28.Nxf7. However, 27.Rc1 could have resulted in a loss of material after Bd4. Now, there is no safe way to save the knight. Once it is moved, Rh8 skewer drops the bishop at h6.

Srija - Mary: 0-1

WGM Srija Seshadri (TN, 2204) did not take pawn wedge at f3 at the right time. Later on, it played a key role in WGM Mary Ann Gomes (PSPB, 2320) earning her a full point.

The best time to take the f3-pawn was now. White probably didn't take 25.Qxf3 is due to discover attack Bc2. However, after 26.Qe3 Bxd1 27.Rxd1 White is doing fine as she would have had enough compensation in the form of two pawns for the lost exchange. The game continued 25.Qe1 e4 26.Bf1 h5 27.Nc4 h4 28.Ne3 hxg33 29.hxg3 Be5 30.Rd5 Qg7 31.Nxf5 gxf5 32.Bh3 Rbe8 and White's position fell apart in a hurry.

Vantika - Soumya

IM Soumya Swaminathan (PSPB, 2322) perhaps will question her choice of going with Modern Benoni against WGM Vantika Agrawal (DEL, 2352). The former just could not get out of the gate and Vantika had no trouble outplaying her.

Find out the winning combination for White after 39...Nh5.

A total of 102 players including 3 IMs, 7 WGMs and 12 WIMs are taking part in this tournament organized by Chess Association Kolhapur. The event is taking place at Sanjay Ghodawat University, Kolhapur, Maharasahtra from 26th December 2022 to 5th January 2023. The 11-round Swiss league tournament has a time control of 90 minutes for 40 moves followed by 30 minutes with an increment of 30 seconds from move no.1

Replay Round 10 games

Round 10 results

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Standings after Round 10

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Round 11 pairings

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Links

Tournament Regulations

Chess Association Kolhapur: Official site, and facebook

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