Before we get going let's have a look at the standings after round 9.
What just happened? Four players were leading after round 7 with 5.0/7, but now we have just one leader - S. Meenakshi. Let's go over the last two rounds, but before that here's a position that is going to make it to all the tactics books in the future!
Soumya Swaminathan - Bhakti Kulkarni, round 9
It shouldn't take you more than some seconds to figure out the solution, but when you do, you should definitely gape in amazement at the final position for a few minutes! ...Qf1+! Bg1 and now comes the killer ...Qg2+!! Bxg2 hxg2 mate!
Round 8:
This round began with a four way tie at the top. Padmini Rout, Soumya Swaminathan, S. Meenakshi and Nandhidhaa P.V were leading with 5.0/7. These were the results:
Soumya and Meenakshi drew their games. This meant that the tournament had only two leaders - Padmini Rout and Nandhidhaa P.V.
Round 9
Just when it seemed that Padmini Rout would get into the groove and power ahead, she once again stumbled. This time at a crucial juncture in her game with Mary Ann Gomes.
Meenakshi has been showing tenacious defence at this event. She once again proved that it is easy to get a winning position against her, but very difficult to finish her off by beating Nandhidhaa from a clearly inferior position, and then a drawn rook endgame.
